Self-defense isn’t a class you take once – it’s a mindset of preparedness that you carry with you everywhere you go. It is a combination of awareness, assertiveness, and verbal confrontation skills, combined with safety strategies, and physical techniques. Nowadays, bringing a weapon as a self-defense device isn’t a bad idea. However, we need to determine if we are carrying a legal weapon or not as a safety precaution.
Here are the Legal Self-Defense Weapons in Delaware
- Pepper Spray
- Stun Guns
- Some Firearms
- Knives
- Tactical Pens
Pepper Spray is Legal in Delaware
Any type, strength or size of pepper spray is legal in Delaware. Pepper spray is legal in Delaware, although it is illegal to use it while engaged in the commission of any crime or to assault a law-enforcement officer while in the performance of the officer’s duties (Del. Code Ann. tit. 11 § 612)
Delaware law defines pepper spray on the books as (§ 222 General definitions):
“Disabling chemical spray” includes mace, tear gas, pepper spray or any other mixture containing quantities thereof, or any other aerosol spray or any liquid, gaseous or solid substance capable of producing temporary physical discomfort, disability or injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispersed in the air, or any canister, container or device designed or intended to carry, store or disperse such aerosol spray or such gas or solid.
From a hand carry perspective, the law says:
Universal Citation: 11 DE Code § 1443 (2018)
(c) For the purposes of this section, disabling chemical spray, as defined in § 222 of this title, shall not be considered to be a dangerous instrument.
(d) Carrying a concealed dangerous instrument is a class A misdemeanor.
Delaware: Stun Guns
It is legal to own a taser or stun gun in Delaware. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit in most of the state. Concealed carry is legal with a permit from a state that Delaware honors.
Stun Guns Legality:
- Legal for Security Guard Use
- Legal for Consumer Use or Possession
- Permit Required for Concealed Carry
- No Background Check Required
Stun Guns are illegal in the following places.
- New Castle County – “It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, make, deliver, transport, trade, give, sell, purchase or possess a stun gun or taser gun” (Sec. 22.03.009)
- Wilmington – “Stun gun means any battery-powered, pulsed electrical device of high voltage and low or no amperage which, when pressed against a person, can disrupt the central nervous system and cause temporary loss of voluntary muscle control of such person. Taser gun means any device contained in a package which permits it to be handheld, containing an electrical supply unit, and into which an expendable plastic cassette may be inserted and which operates by shooting or projecting a ball, net, or dart carrying fine wires from the package to the target and which, upon hitting a person can send out current capable of disrupting the person’s nervous system in such a manner as to render the person incapable of functioning normally.” (Sec. 36-161)
- Newark – “It shall be unlawful for any person within the limits of the city to possess, wear, carry or knowingly transport a stun gun or taser gun” (Sec. 31-5)
Firearms Legality in Delaware
Firearm laws in Delaware are liberal and friendly towards gun aficionado. A permit is not needed to purchase firearms and they do not need to be registered. The owner of a firearm does not need a license to own a firearm. Background checks are required for any purchase from a licensed retailer. Delaware issues carry permits because it is a “may issue” state. (§ 1441) For you to get a permit, you must be at least 18 years old who has completed a firearm training course. The firearms training course shall include the following elements:
a. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of firearms;
b. Instruction regarding safe storage of firearms and child safety;
c. Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of ammunition;
d. Instruction regarding safe storage of ammunition and child safety;
e. Instruction regarding safe firearms shooting fundamentals;
f. Live fire shooting exercises conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition;
g. Identification of ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills;
h. Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use and possession of firearms;
i. Instruction regarding the laws of this State pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense; and
j. Instruction regarding techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution.
In addition, you should have five references from the county you reside in and have never been convicted in Delaware or elsewhere of a felony or a crime of violence.
Knife Laws in Delaware
Most knives are legal to own and carry in the state of Delaware, including the following:
- Pocket Knife
- Bowie Knife
- KA-BAR Knife
- Dirk
- Dagger
- Lock-blade Knife
- Push Knives
- Other straight or folding knives
Some knives are completely illegal in Delaware. These blades cannot be legally carried even in the home, nor may they be kept as collectibles or for display reasons.
- Switchblades
- Gravity Knives
- Throwing Stars
It is illegal to carry a deadly weapon without a license to do so, as provided by§ 1441 of this Title. 11 Dei.C. § 1442.
Definition: “Deadly weapon’ includes a ‘firearm’, as defined in paragraph (12) of this section, a bomb, a knife of any sort (other than an ordinary pocketknife carried in a closed position), switchblade knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles, slingshot, razor, bicycle chain or ice pick or any ‘dangerous instrument’, as defined in paragraph (4) of this section, which is used, or attempted to be used, to cause death or serious physical injury. For the purpose of this definition, an ordinary pocketknife shall be a folding knife having a blade not more than 3 inches in length”
Personal Alarm
When you think of a self-defense weapon an alarm may not be the first thing that comes to mind but believe me a personal alarm is one of the best self-defense weapons that you can have! This isn’t an ordinary alarm.
A personal alarm is more produces a sound of more than 100 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer! Trust me when I say it’s shrill and loud. You wouldn’t want this alarm sounding in your ear. Also, causing a scene by making a lot of noise is a great tool to defend yourself against any surprise attack whether it be a mugger or purse snatcher. Read about an old woman whose life was saved by a personal alarm.
Is Tactical Pen legal in Delaware?
There is no law prohibiting the use of the tactical pen in Delaware. A tactical pen is essentially a hidden self-defense tool. What better way to hide a defense weapon other than in plain sight. It can be used for writing, stopping someone by causing a minor wound, breaking things and even breaking glass if you use it well. The tactical pens were created for people who don’t want to use a gun for self-defense and wish to have some useful things that can potentially become a weapon. Use this special link to get one free just pay for shipping.