District of Columbia Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No. No person may carry a pistol in the District, openly or concealed, without a license issued under District law. Carrying outside one's home, business or land is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine (up to 10 years for a repeat offense after a prior District or felony conviction). Rifles and shotguns may not be carried unless otherwise permitted by law.

Concealed Carry Pistol License, issued by the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The statute says the Chief 'may' issue a license to a 'suitable person'; MPD states that, after the Wrenn and Grace court decisions, applicants do not need to show a 'good reason.' Applicant must be at least 21, hold a District-registered handgun, and complete a 16-hour firearms training course plus 2 hours of range training with an MPD-certified instructor, covering safety, marksmanship and District and federal firearms law. A license may be issued for not more than 2 years. Nonresidents may apply.

No. The license requirement covers carrying a pistol 'either openly or concealed,' and District licenses are concealed carry licenses only. Rifles and shotguns may not be carried unless otherwise permitted by law.

21. Every firearm possessed in the District must be registered, and a registration certificate generally requires the applicant to be 21 or older. The Chief may register a firearm to an otherwise qualified applicant aged 18 to 20 if a parent or guardian files a notarized statement agreeing to the ownership and accepting civil liability; that certificate expires on the applicant's 21st birthday (MPD describes this as applying to long guns). Purchases must go through a federally licensed dealer.

Yes, effectively. All firearms must be registered with MPD before possession, which involves qualification checks, training and a knowledge test. Persons eligible to register a firearm may sell or transfer it, but transfers are directed through a licensed dealer; MPD states that residents 'must purchase a firearm through a federal firearms licensee (FFL).'

10 days for all firearms: a seller may not deliver a firearm until 10 days have passed from the date of purchase. Sales to marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens and their deputies, and police or other law enforcement officers are exempt, and the section does not apply to wholesale sales to licensed dealers.

Yes (extreme risk protection orders). A petition may be filed in D.C. Superior Court by a person related to the respondent or in a romantic, dating or sexual relationship with them, a sworn member of a law enforcement agency operating in the District, or a mental health professional. An ex parte order requires probable cause and lasts up to 14 days (extendable in 14-day increments for good cause); the hearing on a final order is held within 14 days of the petition; a final order is in effect for up to one year.

Assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles cannot be registered and so may not be possessed. No person may possess, sell or transfer a large capacity ammunition feeding device (capacity of more than 10 rounds, or readily restored or converted to more than 10), with a narrow exception for attached tubular devices that accept only .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

Without a carry license, a person not prohibited from having the firearm may transport it only for a lawful purpose between places where they may lawfully possess and carry it; the firearm must be unloaded and neither it nor the ammunition may be readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment (or, if there is no separate compartment, in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console). Licensees carrying concealed on their person are exempt from these rules. MPD advises nonresidents with unregistered firearms to travel through the District without stopping.

None. The District has no law that honors other states' carry permits; a pistol may be carried only with a license issued under District law. A nonresident who holds a concealed carry license from any state (or who lives in a state that does not require one) may apply for a District license.

Licensees may not carry in District government buildings; schools, child care facilities, preschools, colleges and universities (including adjacent parking lots); hospitals and medical or mental health offices; prisons, juvenile facilities and halfway houses; polling places while voting is underway; public transportation including Metrorail and stations; premises licensed to serve alcohol for on-site consumption (with some exceptions); stadiums and arenas; posted public gatherings or special events; National Mall memorials, the Tidal Basin and federal-ban areas including the U.S. Capitol grounds; the White House area and Naval Observatory area; areas near dignitaries or demonstrations designated by police; and places set by rule. Private residences are presumed off-limits unless the owner allows it; other private property is off-limits if posted or the owner says so; places of worship are presumed off-limits unless posted or allowed.

No person may possess a ghost gun (punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine), except listed officials, entities and licensed dealers; a ghost gun cannot be registered. A self-manufactured firearm can be registered only if it bears a unique serial number meeting federal marking requirements, engraved before the frame or receiver is finished.