Last reviewed: October 9, 2026
Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →
Your District of Columbia resident permit is honored in 25 statesDistrict of Columbia Gun Laws
Reciprocity of District of Columbia's Basic Resident Permit
Open Carry
Duty to Notify Law Enforcement
State Parks
Restaurants Serving Alcohol
Firearms at Colleges
Firearms at K-12 Schools
Church Carry
Hotels
Secure Storage Requirements
Magazine Capacity Limitations
Suppressor Ownership
Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit
Firearm Law Uniformity
Permit Training Requirements
Non-Resident Permits
Constitutional Carry
Duty to Retreat
Places Off Limits
- 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
State Contact / Source
300 Indiana Ave. NW - 5th Fl
Washington D.C. 20001
202-727-9099
www.mpdc.dc.gov
Permit Issuing Authority
Length of Permit Validity
Permit Application Process District of Columbia Permit Reciprocity
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
District of Columbia Concealed Carry Laws
Constitutional Carry
No
Open Carry
Prohibited
Permit honored in
25 states
District of Columbia honors
0 states
Permit honored
Permitless carry
Not honored
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
Washington Metro Police
Washington DC Metropolitan Police
Best to review these instructions from the Metro Police link
AK
AL
AR
AZ
FL
GA
IA
ID
IN
KS
KY
MI
MO
MS
NC
NE
OH
OK
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WI
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