District of Columbia Gun Laws

Prohibited

Required to notify immediately upon official contact

There are no state parks

Law prohibits carrying in places that serve alcohol but gives exemptions to places that hold a C/R or D/R license. These are places licensed to serve food and beverage with alcohol. Best to avoid bars and establishments that primarily sell alcohol.

Firearms prohibited on the "building or grounds"

Firearms prohibited on the "building or grounds"

The carrying of a concealed firearm in any church or place where people regularly assemble for religious worship shall be presumed to be prohibited unless the property says otherwise with conspicuous signage

No restriction in the law. Hotels can enforce their own policies.

Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.

Previous ammunition restrictions (the 20 round total) have been repealed and more currently magazine capacity limits overall has been deemed unconstitutional by courts. Please stay tuned as further legal action continues in the courts.

Prohibited.

Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)

Laws are uniform throughout

Currently training must be completed and is to include 16 hours of classroom type instruction on various topics and 2 hours of qualified range training.

Non-residents may apply

No

No Duty to Retreat

- Any building or office occupied by the District of Columbia, its agencies, or instrumentalities
- Childcare facilities, preschools, public and private elementary and secondary schools, and public and private colleges and universities — buildings, grounds, and adjacent parking lots. You may drive in and park briefly to drop off or pick up a child, provided the pistol is secured before you leave the vehicle
- Hospitals and offices where medical or mental health services are the primary service
- Penal institutions, secure juvenile residential facilities, and halfway houses
- Polling places while voting is occurring
- Public transportation vehicles, including Metrobus, Metrorail and its stations, DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, and MetroAccess
- Premises licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption, except restaurant-class licenses (C/R, D/R, C/H, D/H), caterers, temporary licenses, and small-sample tasting permits
- Stadiums and arenas
- Gatherings and special events open to the public, where notice has been given in advance and by posted signage, or where an officer has ordered you to leave
- The public memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin, and anywhere firearms are barred by federal law or agency, including U.S. Capitol buildings and grounds
- The White House Complex and its grounds, out to the curb of the adjacent sidewalks bounded by Constitution Ave NW, 15th St NW, H St NW, and 17th St NW
- The U.S. Naval Observatory and its fence line, including adjacent sidewalks along Observatory Circle from Calvert St NW to Massachusetts Ave NW
- Within 1,000 feet of a protected dignitary or high-ranking official moving under law enforcement protection, in an area designated by the Chief, where the perimeter is made obvious by signs, vehicles, or officers
- Within 1,000 feet of a demonstration in a public place, in a designated area, under the same notice conditions
- Private residential property — carry is presumed prohibited unless the owner or person in control has personally authorized it in advance
- Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship — presumed prohibited unless posted with signage allowing it or the owner personally authorizes it
- Non-residential private property posted with conspicuous signage prohibiting carry, or where the owner tells you personally. Signs must be at least 8x10 inches in 36-point contrasting type
- Anywhere else the Chief of Police designates by rule

Washington Metro Police
300 Indiana Ave. NW - 5th Fl
Washington D.C. 20001
202-727-9099
www.mpdc.dc.gov

Washington DC Metropolitan Police

Best to review these instructions from the Metro Police link