How to Sell a Gun in Delaware

Options for Sellers

Option 1: Cash for Arms 

Cash for Arms is a federally licensed dealer that operates nationwide. Our online sale process doesn’t even require you to leave home. 

We also cover sales and shipping fees and handle all legalities for sellers. Check our reviews to see what other sellers have to say.

We offer some of the best prices in Delaware for used guns and beat any competing offer we can validate. We also have liquidation services in Delaware for large gun collections.

Benefits: 

• Top-dollar offers with a best price guarantee.
• Several payment methods to choose from.
• Fast offers, often sent within hours.
• Option to sell your gun from home.
• The safety of selling to an FFL.
• An easy three-step process. 

Steps:

1. Send us your gun details online.
2. Accept our offer and follow our shipping arrangements.
3. Get paid the moment your gun is validated.

Option 2: Local Gun Shops

Delaware gun shops like First State in New Castle and X-Ring in Newark sometimes make offers for used guns. Because they’re FFLs, they can ensure legal compliance in the transaction. 

Remember that not all shops want used firearms, however. The ones that do also don’t want all types of guns... and often offer just around 50% of the gun’s value.

Steps: 

1. Call the shop to ask if they take guns like yours. 
2. Drive over to the shop for an appraisal if they say yes.
3. Let them make an offer, then negotiate. 
4. Accept the offer if you like it or try other shops to get others.

Option 3: Pawn Shops

Delaware pawn shops with a Type 02 FFL can take guns. They offer fast, upfront sales as well as options for pawning firearms.

The downside is that they will generally make the lowest offers. It’s normal for pawn shops to offer only 40% of your gun’s market value. 

Steps: Same steps as for gun shops.

Option 4: Private Individuals

These are people like you, i.e. Delaware residents who aren’t federally licensed gun dealers. You can sell to them in Delaware as long as they meet the state requirements for gun ownership.

We cover those in our next section, which is about Delaware’s gun laws. Just remember that even private purchases in Delaware must be processed by an FFL.

Steps: 

1. Find an eligible person who’s also a Delaware resident.
2. Negotiate with the person over the sale terms.
3. Meet the person at a local FFL or gun shop.
4. Have the FFL run a background check on the person.
5. If your gun is a handgun, have the person present a purchase permit.
6. If the person passes all checks, give the gun to the FFL.
7. Pay the FFL for the background check and transfer (or have the person pay).
8. Collect your payment.
9. Have the person collect the gun from the FFL.

Delaware Gun Laws for Selling Firearms

We’ve summarized the gun laws in Delaware into the key points below. If you want to learn more, you can check the ATF’s list of DE gun laws.

Background Checks and ID

All Delaware gun sales require background checks with only a few exceptions. Valid state-issued ID will be requested, e.g. a Delaware driver’s license.

Minimum Age 

The minimum age to own a gun in Delaware is 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns (HB 451).

Private Gun Sales 

Private gun sales are legal in Delaware if the gun transfer is processed by an FFL (who usually charges a fee for this).

Purchase Permits

You need a permit to get a handgun in Delaware, but not to acquire long guns.

Eligible Persons

Some people are not eligible to own guns in Delaware. Check the Delaware Criminal Code Title 11 § 1448 and the ATF list of prohibited persons. Examples are convicted felons and illegal aliens.

Waiting Periods

There are no waiting periods for gun sales in Delaware. 

Prohibited Weapons

Delaware bans sale of assault weapons to most civilians. Large-capacity magazines that can hold over 17 rounds of ammo are banned too.

NFA Gun Sales

NFA items have to be sold following the regulations of the NFA and ATF. Not all people can take these, as a result. Cash for Arms can, so contact us if you need help selling one.