The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) have issued regulations expanding the scope of legal possession of firearms within Delaware’s state parks, state wildlife areas and state forests.

The new rules are contained in the state’s regulations governing State Parks, Wildlife, and State Forests. They were issued following a series of public workshops in February of 2018 and a public hearing on March 12, 2018.

In December, 2017, a Delaware Supreme Court decision (Bridgeville Rifle & Pistol Club, Ltd., et al., v. Small, et al. [Dec. 7, 2017]) expanded the scope of visitors’ ability to possess firearms in Delaware’s state parks, state wildlife areas, and state forests. State parks and state wildlife areas are under DNREC jurisdiction. State forests are under the Department of Agriculture’s Jurisdiction.

The specific changes made were published as proposed amendments in the February 1, 2018 Register of Regulations. The formal regulatory amendments (as published in the May 1, 2018 Register) supersede previously adopted emergency regulations (published in the January 1, 2018 Register), under the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act.

Overview of the Regulations

The regulations, pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling, state that visitors may legally possess firearms, as allowed by Delaware law, in state parks, wildlife areas and forests (see the printable PDF maps) unless they are prohibited by law due to a past conviction for a violent crime, active Protection from Abuse Order, or mental health commitment. This includes, for example, trails, unguarded beaches, parking lots, and vehicles.

The proposed regulations prohibit firearms only in certain public facilities and designated areas such as park offices, visitor centers, nature centers, bathhouses, restaurants and snack bars, stadiums and facilities while used for events, concerts and festivals, museums, zoos, stables, educational facilities, dormitories, playgrounds, camping areas, swimming pools, guarded beaches, and water parks. These designated areas are marked with appropriate signs.

The regulations allow holders of valid Delaware concealed-carry permits to carry within parks, including designated areas, provided only that the permit be produced upon request. The regulations would also allow active-duty law and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry anywhere within the parks and other areas affected by Supreme Court decision.

Related Topics:  administration, Health and Safety, law enforcement, regulations