Further Help and Contact Information
To review current District of Columbia laws related to firearms in their entirety, please visit http://dc.gov/DC/Government/DC+Courts+&+Laws/DC+Laws
- Firearms registration laws are addressed in Title 7, Chapter 25.
- Additional criminal laws are in Title 22, Chapter 45.
The laws regarding carrying, possession, and transport of firearms are below.
In general, carrying a firearm in the District is prohibited.
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D.C. Official Code § 22-4504. Carrying concealed weapons; possession of weapons during commission of crime of violence; penalty
(a) No person shall carry within the District of Columbia either openly or concealed on or about their person, a pistol, or any deadly or dangerous weapon capable of being so concealed. Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in § 22-4515, except that: -
(1) A person who violates this section by carrying a pistol or any deadly or dangerous weapon, in a place other than the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person, shall be fined not more than $ 5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both; or
(2) If the violation of this section occurs after a person has been convicted in the District of Columbia of a violation of this section or of a felony, either in the District of Columbia or another jurisdiction, the person shall be fined not more than $ 10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. - (a-1) Except as otherwise permitted by law, no person shall carry within the District of Columbia a rifle or shotgun. A person who violates this subsection shall be subject to the criminal penalties set forth in subsection (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
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D.C. Official Code § 22-4504. Carrying concealed weapons; possession of weapons during commission of crime of violence; penalty
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D.C. Official Code § 22-4504.01. Authority to carry firearm in certain places and for certain purposes.
Notwithstanding any other law, a person holding a valid registration for a firearm may carry the firearm:
(1) Within the registrant's home;
(2) While it is being used for lawful recreational purposes;
(3) While it is kept at the registrant's place of business; or
(4) While it is being transported for a lawful purpose as expressly authorized by District or federal statute and in accordance with the requirements of that statute. -
§ 22-4504.02. Lawful transportation of firearms.
(a) 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 [see § 22-4504.01, above] to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm if the firearm is transported in accordance with this section. -
(b) (1) 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.
(2) 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. - (c) If the transportation of the firearm is in a manner other than in a vehicle, the firearm shall be:
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(1) Unloaded;
(2) Inside a locked container; and
(3) Separate from any ammunition.
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D.C. Official Code § 22-4504.01. Authority to carry firearm in certain places and for certain purposes.