District of Columbia gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
A concealed carry license is required.
Open carry: Not allowed. Carrying a pistol openly or concealed without a D.C. license is a crime (D.C. Code 22-4504(a)), and D.C. licenses are for concealed carry only. Source
Permits: District of Columbia permit guide

Vehicle transport

Without a license, a firearm must be unloaded and not reachable from the passenger compartment, or in a locked container if the vehicle has no trunk (D.C. Code 22-4504.02). License holders may carry concealed as their license allows. Source

Places where carry is banned

D.C. government buildings; schools, child care facilities and colleges, including parking lots; hospitals and medical offices; jails; polling places; public transit including Metro; places serving alcohol for on-site consumption; stadiums and arenas; permitted public gatherings; National Mall memorials, the White House area, the Naval Observatory and federal property; areas around protected dignitaries and demonstrations; and private homes unless the owner allows it (D.C. Code 7-2509.07). Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Magazine capacity limit: Yes, 10 rounds
Assault-weapon restrictions: Yes, a general ban on sale, manufacture and transfer

Duty to inform

Yes. During an investigative stop, a licensee must disclose the concealed pistol, show the license and registration, say where the pistol is and follow the officer's orders (D.C. Code 7-2509.04(d)). Source

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

DC does not recognize other states' permits; you need a DC license to carry in DC.

Does not honor other states' permits.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether District of Columbia honors your permit

Sources

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.