DC Gun Laws at a Glance:
Updated 9/2023
Handgun Purchase/Registration Process
If you purchase a firearm in the District of Columbia or move to the District of Columbia with a firearm, you must register your firearm with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This process must be completed before a licensed dealer is legally allowed to release a firearm to you after a purchase. All firearms sales, including private sales, must be conducted through a licensed dealer.
Not all firearms are eligible for registration or legal to own in the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia utilizes firearms lists approved by the states of California, Massachusetts and Maryland. A firearm does not need to be found on all three lists in order to be eligible for registration in the District. The MPD website includes a complete list of approved firearms.
To register a firearm in the District of Columbia an individual must complete a Firearms Statement of Eligibility Form. You will turn in this form along with an Application for Firearms Registration Certificate Form at the time that you apply for registration. Note that both the seller and the purchaser must complete portions of the Firearms Registration Certificate Form. Both forms can be found on the MPD website.
An individual must also obtain a certificate of completion from a free, 30-minute online Firearms Safety Training Course through the Metropolitan Police Department. This requirement may also be fulfilled by providing evidence that the applicant has received firearms training in the U.S. Military or if the applicant possesses a license or permit from a state with similar or stricter education requirements.
Completed applications must be brought in person to the Metropolitan Police Department – Firearms Regulation Section along with a photo ID, proof of residency in the District of Columbia and proof that you have met the MPD’s education and training requirements.
Next, you must pay the application fee and submit to fingerprinting for a background check. Your application will either be approved or denied within five business days. You must then bring your certificate of registration to the licensed dealer, who will release the firearm to you no sooner than ten days after the initial purchase was made.
Summary of District of Columbia Gun Laws:
Washington, D.C. is a shall-issue district with concealed weapons licenses issued by D.C. Metropolitan Police.
All firearms must be registered, and this process acts as a permit to purchase. Individuals cannot possess ammunition without a valid registration of a firearm.
Open carry is illegal in D.C.
District of Columbia Concealed Carry Pistol Licenses (CCPLs) are required in order to concealed carry and are issued to residents and non-residents and require a firearms training course that has been approved by the Metro Police. You must be at least 21 years old to get a concealed carry license in D.C. Any firearm you plan on carrying in Washington D.C. will also need to be registered in the District. In addition, possession of ammunition for an unregistered firearm is prohibited in the District of Columbia. Some areas are off-limits even with a D.C. CCPL, including schools, public memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin and the area around the White House. In terms of reciprocity, Washington D.C. does not honor CCW licenses from any other state.
Key District Laws:
Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in District of Columbia?
YES!!
You have a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Washington D.C.
Is my District of Columbia driver’s license linked to my District of Columbia pistol license?
NO
Your District of Columbia driver’s license is not linked to your District of Columbia concealed carry pistol license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.
Are “No Weapons Allowed” signs enforced in District of Columbia? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.
Yes
Signs stating that the carrying of firearms is prohibited on any private property shall be clearly and conspicuously posted at any entrance open to the public of a building, premises or real property.
A sign shall be considered conspicuous if it is at least 8″ by 10″ in size and contains writing in contrasting ink using not less than 36 point type.
Does District of Columbia have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?
NO
Does not apply. Washington D.C. does not have preemption laws.
Does District of Columbia have a red flag law?
Yes
Yes. District of Columbia has a red flag law. Family members, cohabitants, mental health professionals and law enforcement are allowed to petition for an order to surrender to law enforcement authorities any firearms, ammunition, registration certificates, licenses to carry a concealed pistol, or dealer’s licenses in the respondent’s possession. The respondent is prohibited from purchasing or possessing any firearm or ammunition for the duration of the interim and or final extreme risk protection order.
[D.C. Code § 7–2510.02 thru 7-2510.12]
Does District of Columbia state law define brandishing?
NO
No definition of brandishing was found in District of Columbia law. However, a person shall not unlawfully assault, or threaten another in a menacing manner with a dangerous weapon.
Does District of Columbia issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?
Yes. Licenses are granted to non-residents, but any firearm carried in Washington D.C. must be registered in the District. In addition, individuals who don’t have a residence or place of business in D.C. must have a permit from their state of residence.
Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in the District of Columbia?
Yes
Yes. The firearms registration process also serves as a permitting process.
Are background checks required for private gun sales in the District of Columbia?
Yes
Private party firearms transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer, who is required by federal law to perform a background check and keep a record of the sale.
Does my current District of Columbia concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?
NO
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in District of Columbia?
Yes – 10 days after purchase
Do handguns need to be registered in District of Columbia?
Yes – for residents AND non-residents
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in District of Columbia?
21
Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a license?
NO
No. In order for an individual to possess a firearm in their home or place of business, the firearm must first be registered with the D.C. Metro Police Department. In addition, a registration permit does not allow someone to take a firearm outside of those two locations.
Self-Defense:
Under the case law of the District of Columbia, the District is neither a “stand your ground” nor a “duty to retreat” jurisdiction. The District case law has established a middle ground.
Based on case law and jury instructions, you are entitled to claim self-defense:
- If you actually believe you are in imminent danger of bodily harm; and
- If you have reasonable grounds for that belief.
You may use the amount of force which, at the time of the incident, you actually and reasonably believe is necessary to protect yourself (or a third person) from imminent bodily harm. This may extend to the use of deadly force if you actually and reasonably believe you are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm from which you can save yourself only by using deadly force against your assailant. You should take reasonable steps, such as stepping back or walking away, to avoid the necessity of taking a human life, so long as those steps are consistent with your own safety. However, you do not have to retreat or consider retreating when you actually and reasonably believe that you are in danger of death or serious bodily harm and that deadly force is necessary to repel that danger. Generally, you may not use deadly force to protect your property.
Fast Facts:
You Shall NOT carry:
- Shall not carry a pistol while consuming alcohol or while impaired.
- A building or office occupied by the District of Columbia or its agencies.
- The building and grounds, including any adjacent parking lot of a childcare facility, preschool, elementary or secondary school, or a public or private college or university.
- A hospital or an office where medical or mental health services are the primary services provided.
- A penal institution, secure juvenile residential facility, or halfway house.
- A polling place while voting is occurring.
- A public transportation vehicle, including the Metro rail transit system and its stations.
- Any premises where alcohol is served, sold and consumed on the premises (pursuant to license issued under Title 25 of D.C. Code)
- Stadium or Arena
- Public Gathering or special event open to the public when the organizer has provided notice and posted signage prohibiting the carrying of pistols in advance of the gathering or special event.
- The public memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin, and any area where firearms are prohibited under federal law or by a federal agency, including the U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds.
- The area around the White House ( between Constitution Ave. and H St. and between 15th St. and 17th St. NW)
- The U.S. Naval Observatory and its grounds (from the perimeter of its fence to the curb of Massachusetts Ave. NW from 34th St. south on Massachusetts Ave to Observatory Circle NW)
- When a dignitary or high-ranking official of the United States or a state, local, or foreign government is moving under the protection of the MPD, the U.S Secret Service, the U.S Capitol Police, or other law enforcement agency that does not include a distance greater than 1,000 feet from the moving dignitary. ( provided notice has been given by signs or an officer’s order)
- A Demonstration in a public place (within a perimeter of 1,000 feet designated by a law enforcement agency, and notice has been given by signs or an officer’s order)
- On private residential property unless authorized by the property owner.
- A place of religious worship unless authorized by the owner or authorized agent.
- Non-residential property that is posted with conspicuous signage prohibiting the carrying of a concealed pistol.
Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in District of Columbia with a concealed carry license (or under permit-less carry if applicable)?
NO
A concealed weapons license does not allow you to carry weapons other than handguns.
Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in District of Columbia?
Yes
A person 18 years or older may possess a stun gun or Taser in the District of Columbia, although it may only be used to protect themselves or their property. No one other than a law enforcement officer is allowed to possess a stun gun in a building or office occupied by the District of Columbia government, a penal institution, secure juvenile residential facility, a halfway house, any building that is occupied by a children’s facility, preschool, elementary or secondary school, or any building or grounds in which the owner or occupant clearly posts forbidding the carrying of a stun gun.
Is it legal to buy or use chemical spray/pepper spray in District of Columbia?
Yes
A person may use a self-defense spray only as reasonable force to defend themselves or their property. However, it must be propelled from an aerosol container and there are restrictions on the chemical mixtures, labeling and dating.
[D.C. Code §§ 7-2502.12 and 7-2502.13]
Does District of Columbia have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?
YES!!
No more than 10 round capacity!!!
The term “large capacity ammunition feeding device” means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The term “large capacity ammunition feeding device” shall not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
Does District of Columbia have ammunition restrictions?
YES!!
Yes. In order to possess ammunition, a person must have a registration certificate for a firearm. Licensed dealers may transfer ammunition only to the registered owner of a firearm of the same caliber or gauge as the ammunition, or to a nonresident of the District who provides proof that the weapon is lawfully possessed and is of the same gauge or caliber as the ammunition to be purchased.
In addition, a person with a CCPL may not carry any “restricted pistol bullet” as that term is defined in DC Code and cannot carry more ammunition than is required to fully load the pistol twice, and in no event shall that amount be greater than 20 rounds of ammunition.
[D.C. Code Ann. §§ 7-2501.01(13A), 7-2506.01 and CDCR 24-2343.1]
Carry Locations:
Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in District of Columbia?
Yes, with a D.C. CCPL only. Without a license, the firearm must be unloaded inside a locked container, other than the glove compartment or console, and separate from ammunition.
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in District of Columbia?
NO
Firearms are prohibited in public parks in the District of Columbia.
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in District of Columbia?
Possibly…
Private persons or entities owning property in the District of Columbia may prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on their property. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it’s concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
Does District of Columbia have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?
Possibly…
Whenever a licensee carries a concealed pistol and approaches any prohibited location, or is subject to any prohibited circumstance, the licensee shall:
- If the licensee is in a vehicle or if a vehicle is readily available, immediately secure the pistol in the following manner – unloaded, with neither the firearm nor any ammunition readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment; or
- If the licensee does not have a vehicle available, immediately leave the prohibited location or circumstance.
[Title 7 Subtitle J Chpt. 25 § 7-2509.07]
Any person who is not otherwise prohibited by the law from transporting, shipping or receiving a firearm shall be permitted to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm if the firearm is transported in accordance with this section.
- If the transportation of the firearm is by a vehicle, the firearm shall be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported shall be readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the transporting vehicle.
- If the transporting vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console, and the firearm shall be unloaded.
- If the transportation of the firearm is in a manner other than in a vehicle, the firearm shall be:
- Unloaded;
- Inside a locked container; and
- Separate from any ammunition.
[Title 22 Subtitle VI Chpt. 45 § 22-4504.02. Lawful transportation of firearms.]
Source: usconcealedcarry.com