Delaware Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Delaware, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations throughout Delaware—from Wilmington corporate campuses to Dover state facilities and beach community businesses—to help prepare for the worst-case security scenarios, especially active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Delaware and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. We’ll also examine how our AI security technology can help keep the First State’s workforce and communities safer.
Where Does Delaware Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Delaware rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #45
124 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 45 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #38
12.0 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Safest Cities in Delaware
- Clayton
- Milton
- Lewes
- Middletown
- Newark
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Delaware’s Recent History
Delaware, like states across the country, faces the reality of mass shooting events resulting from gun violence. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Wilmington Youth Football Shooting (2025)
A man was fatally shot at Eden Park during a youth football game. The shooter opened fire during halftime, causing panic among the hundreds of spectators.
Halloween Shooting (2023)
Three people were shot in the Salem Woods community in Bear, Delaware, as trick-or-treating was concluding.
Christiana Mall Shooting (2023)
Three people were shot and five others were injured at a Delaware mall.
Delaware’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Delaware has adopted a comprehensive approach to limiting gun violence through multiple legislative measures and coordination efforts. In 2024, Delaware enacted a handgun permit-to-purchase law, building on 2021 progress that addressed ghost guns and strengthened domestic violence protections.
In 2025, Governor Matt Meyer established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety to coordinate cross-agency efforts and center community voices.
Delaware’s response for limiting gun violence include:
- Requiring permits to purchase
- Prohibiting guns in schools and at polling places
- Regulating ghost guns
- Enhancing protections for domestic violence survivors
- Creating dedicated state infrastructure for coordinated prevention efforts
Delaware saw a 40% drop in violent crime in 2023, reaching the lowest violent crime rate since 2008. However, the rate of gun deaths in Delaware increased 8% from 2014 to 2023, with an average of 127 people dying from gun violence annually.
Why Delaware Needs Help Why Delaware’s Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Inspired AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an imminent, active threat is confirmed, there’s no time to waste. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Delaware Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Delaware. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Delaware Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Delaware each year?
Approximately 124 people died from gun-related injuries in Delaware in 2023 though the annual average is around 127 deaths, meaning someone dies from gun violence every three days in the state.
What percentage of gun deaths are suicides versus homicides?
In Delaware, 52% of gun deaths are suicides and 46% are homicides.
How does Delaware’s gun death rate rank nationally?
Delaware had the twelfth lowest gun death rate among all states in 2023, indicating it performs better than most states despite having gun violence challenges.
Which demographic groups are most affected by gun violence in Delaware?
Males are five times more likely to die by gun homicides than females, young people ages 15-34 account for 63% of all gun homicide deaths, and Black people are 16 times more likely to die by gun homicide based on 2019-2023 data.
What is Delaware’s gun homicide rate ranking compared to other states?
Delaware has the 13th-highest rate of gun homicide deaths in the United States, making it an outlier among neighboring states despite having relatively stronger gun laws.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/firearms.html
- https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/explainer
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-delaware/
- https://dsp.delaware.gov/category/shooting/
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/delaware/
- https://news.delaware.gov/2025/05/01/governor-meyer-signs-executive-order-establishing-office-of-gun-violence-prevention-and-community-safety/
- https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/del-officials-say-in-2023-state-saw-lowest-violent-crime-rate-on-record/3760140/
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/delaware/
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/gun-violence-data/state-gun-violence-data/delaware
- https://www.everytown.org/press/as-delaware-legislature-convenes-for-2024-session-lawmakers-have-the-opportunity-to-continue-momentum-on-gun-violence-prevention/
