District of Columbia Firearm Law
The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the City of Washington D.C. as of 4/30/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to Washington D.C. legislation. Another great resource is the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
§ 7-2501.01. Definitions
As used in this unit the term:
(1) "Acts of Congress" means:
(A) Chapter 45 of Title 22;
(B) Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (title VII, Unlawful Possession or Receipt of Firearms (82 Stat. 1236; 18 U.S.C. Appendix)); and
(C) An Act to Amend Title 18, United States Code, To Provide for Better Control of the Interstate Traffic in Firearms Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1213; 18 U.S.C. § 921 et seq.).
(2) "Ammunition" means cartridge cases, shells, projectiles (including shot), primers, bullets (including restricted pistol bullets), propellant powder, or other devices or materials designed, redesigned, or intended for use in a firearm or destructive device.
(3) "Antique firearm" means:
(A) Any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and
(B) Any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica:
(i) Is not designed or redesigned for using rim-fire or conventional center-fire fixed ammunition; or
(ii) Uses rim-fire or conventional ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
(3A) (A) "Assault weapon" means:
(i) The following semiautomatic firearms:
(I) All of the following specified rifles:
(aa) All AK series including, but not limited to, the models identified as follows:
(1) Made in China AK, AKM, AKS, AK47, AK47S, 56, 56S, 84S, and 86S;
(2) Norinco (all models);
(3) Poly Technologies (all models);
(4) MAADI AK47 and ARM; and
(5) Mitchell (all models).
(bb) UZI and Galil;
(cc) Beretta AR-70;
(dd) CETME Sporter;
(ee) Colt AR-15 series;
(ff) Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR110 C;
(gg) Fabrique Nationale FAL, LAR, FNC, 308 Match, and Sporter;
(hh) MAS 223.
(ii) HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, and HK-PSG-1;
(jj) The following MAC types:
(1) RPB Industries Inc. sM10 and sM11; and
(2) SWD Incorporated M11;
(kk) SKS with detachable magazine;
(ll) SIG AMT, PE-57, SG 550, and SG 551;
(mm) Springfield Armory BM59 and SAR-48;
(nn) Sterling MK-6;
(oo) Steyer AUG, Steyr AUG;
(pp) Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78S;
(qq) Armalite AR-180;
(rr) Bushmaster Assault Rifle;
(ss) Calico --900;
(tt) J&R ENG --68; and
(uu) Weaver Arms Nighthawk.
(II) All of the following specified pistols:
(aa) UZI;
(bb) Encom MP-9 and MP-45;
(cc) The following MAC types:
(1) RPB Industries Inc. sM10 and sM11;
(2) SWD Incorporated -11;
(3) Advance Armament Inc. --11; and
(4) Military Armament Corp. Ingram M-11;
(dd) Intratec TEC-9 and TEC-DC9;
(ee) Sites Spectre;
(ff) Sterling MK-7;
(gg) Calico M-950; and
(hh) Bushmaster Pistol.
(III) All of the following specified shotguns:
(aa) Franchi SPAS 12 and LAW 12; and
(bb) Striker 12. The Streetsweeper type S/S Inc. SS/12;
(IV) A semiautomatic, rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(aa) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(bb) A thumbhole stock;
(cc) A folding or telescoping stock;
(dd) A grenade launcher or flare launcher;
(ee) A flash suppressor; or
(ff) A forward pistol grip;
(V) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(aa) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
(bb) A second handgrip;
(cc) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel; or
(dd) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip;
(VI) A semiautomatic shotgun that has one or more of the following:
(aa) A folding or telescoping stock;
(bb) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(cc) A thumbhole stock; or
(dd) A vertical handgrip; and
(VII) A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine; and
(VIII) All other models within a series that are variations, with minor differences, of those models listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, regardless of the manufacturer;
- Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder; provided, that this sub-subparagraph shall not apply to a weapon with an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition; and
- Any firearm that the Chief may designate as an assault weapon by rule, based on a determination that the firearm would reasonably pose the same or similar danger to the health, safety, and security of the residents of the District as those weapons enumerated in this paragraph.
(B) The term "assault weapon" shall not include:
(i) Any antique firearm; or
(ii) Any of the following pistols, which are designed expressly for use in Olympic target shooting events, sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee and by USA Shooting, the national governing body for international shooting competition in the United States, and used for Olympic target shooting purposes:
MANUFACTURER MODEL CALIBER
BENELLI MP90 .22LR
BENELLI MP90 .32 S&W
LONG
BENELLI MP95 .22LR
BENELLI MP95 .32 S&W
LONG
HAMMERLI 280 .22LR
HAMMERLI 280 .32 S&W
LONG
HAMMERLI SP20 .22LR
HAMMERLI SP20 .32 S&W
LONG
PARDINI GPO .22
SHORT
PARDINI GP-SCHUMANN .22
SHORT
PARDINI HP .32 S&W
LONG
PARDINI MP .32 S&W
LONG
PARDINI SP .22LR
PARDINI SPE .22LR
WALTHER GSP .22LR
WALTHER GSP .32 S&W
LONG
WALTHER OSP .22
SHORT
WALTHER OSP-2000 .22
SHORT
(C) The Chief may exempt, by rule, new models of competitive pistols that would otherwise fall within the definition of "assault weapon" pursuant to this section from being classified as an assault weapon. The exemption of competitive pistols shall be based either on recommendations by USA Shooting consistent with the regulations contained in the USA Shooting Official Rules or on the recommendation or rules of any other organization that the Chief considers relevant.
(4) "Chief" means the Chief of Police of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia or his designated agent.
(5) "Crime of violence" means a crime of violence as defined in § 22-4501, committed in any jurisdiction, but does not include larceny or attempted larceny.
(6) "Dealer's license" means a license to buy or sell, repair, trade, or otherwise deal in firearms, destructive devices, or ammunition as provided for in subchapter IV of this unit.
(7) "Destructive device" means:
(A) An explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine, or similar device;
(B) Any device by whatever name known which will, or is designed or redesigned, or may be readily converted or restored to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant through a smooth bore barrel, except a shotgun;
(C) Any device containing tear gas or a chemically similar lacrimator or sternutator by whatever name known;
(D) Any device designed or redesigned, made or remade, or readily converted or restored, and intended to stun or disable a person by means of electric shock;
(E) Any combination of parts designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device; or from which a destructive device may be readily assembled; provided, that the term shall not include:
(i) Any pneumatic, spring, or B-B gun which expels a single projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter;
(ii) Any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon;
(iii) Any device originally a weapon which has been redesigned for use as a signaling, line throwing, or safety device; or
(iv) Any device which the Chief finds is not likely to be used as a weapon.
(8) "District" means District of Columbia.
(8A) ".50 BMG rifle" means:
(A) A rifle capable of firing a center-fire cartridge in .50 BMG caliber, including a 12.7 mm equivalent of .50 BMG and any other metric equivalent; or
(B) A copy or duplicate of any rifle described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, or any other rifle developed and manufactured after January 6, 2009, regardless of caliber, if such rifle is capable of firing a projectile that attains a muzzle energy of 12,000 foot-pounds or greater in any combination of bullet, propellant, case, or primer.
(9) "Firearm" means any weapon, regardless of operability, which will, or is designed or redesigned, made or remade, readily converted, restored, or repaired, or is intended to, expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such device; or any firearm muffler or silencer; provided, that such term shall not include:
(A) Antique firearms; or
(B) Destructive devices;
(C) Any device used exclusively for line throwing, signaling, or safety, and required or recommended by the Coast Guard or Interstate Commerce Commission; or
(D) Any device used exclusively for firing explosive rivets, stud cartridges, or similar industrial ammunition and incapable for use as a weapon.
(9A) "Intrafamily offense" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 16-1001(8).
(10) "Machine gun" means any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term "machine gun" shall also include the frame or receiver of any such firearm, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a firearm into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
(11) "Organization" means any partnership, company, corporation, or other business entity, or any group or association of 2 or more persons united for a common purpose.
(12) "Pistol" means any firearm originally designed to be fired by use of a single hand or with a barrel less than 12 inches in length.
(12A) "Place of business" means a business that is located in an immovable structure at a fixed location and that is operated and owned entirely, or in substantial part, by the firearm registrant.
(13) "Registration certificate" means a certificate validly issued pursuant to this unit evincing the registration of a firearm pursuant to this unit.
(13A) "Restricted pistol bullet" means any bullet designed for use in a pistol which, when fired from a pistol with a barrel of 5 inches or less in length, is capable of penetrating commercially available body armor with a penetration resistance equal to or greater than that of 18 layers of kevlar.
(14) "Rifle" means a grooved bore firearm using a fixed metallic cartridge with a single projectile and designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.
(15) "Sawed-off shotgun" means a shotgun having a barrel of less than 18 inches in length; or a firearm made from a shotgun if such firearm as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or any barrel of less than 18 inches in length.
(16) "Shotgun" means a smooth bore firearm using a fixed shotgun shell with either a number of ball shot or a single projectile, and designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.
(17) "Short barreled rifle" means a rifle having any barrel less than 16 inches in length, or a firearm made from a rifle if such firearm as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or any barrel of less than 16 inches.
(18) "Weapons offense" means any violation in any jurisdiction of any law which involves the sale, purchase, transfer in any manner, receipt, acquisition, possession, having under control, use, repair, manufacture, carrying, or transportation of any firearm, ammunition, or destructive device.
§ 7-2502.01. Registration requirements
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person or organization in the District of Columbia (“District”) shall receive, possess, control, transfer, offer for sale, sell, give, or deliver any destructive device, and no person or organization in the District shall possess or control any firearm, unless the person or organization holds a valid registration certificate for the firearm. a registration certificate may be issued:
(1) To an organization if:
(A) The organization employs at least 1 commissioned special police officer or employee licensed to carry a firearm whom the organization arms during the employee’s duty hours; and
(B) The registration is issued in the name of the organization and in the name of the president or chief executive officer of the organization; or
(2) In the discretion of the Chief of Police, to a police officer who has retired from the Metropolitan Police Department.
(b) Subsection (a) of this shall not apply to:
(1) Any law enforcement officer or agent of the District or the United States, or any law enforcement officer or agent of the government of any state or subdivision thereof, or any member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard or organized reserves, when such officer, agent, or member is authorized to possess such a firearm or device while on duty in the performance of official authorized functions;
(2) Any person holding a dealer’s license: Provided, that the firearm or destructive device is:
(A) Acquired by such person in the normal conduct of business;
(B) Kept at the place described in the dealer’s license; and
(C) Not kept for such person’s private use or protection, or for the protection of his business;
(3) With respect to firearms, any nonresident of the District participating in any lawful recreational firearm-related activity in the District, or on his way to or from such activity in another jurisdiction: Provided, that such person, whenever in possession of a firearm, shall upon demand of any member of the Metropolitan Police Department, or other bona fide law enforcement officer, exhibit proof that he is on his way to or from such activity, and that his possession or control of such firearm is lawful in the jurisdiction in which he resides: Provided further, that such weapon shall be unloaded, securely wrapped, and carried in open view.
§ 7-2502.02. Registration of certain firearms prohibited
(a) A registration certificate shall not be issued for a:
(1) Sawed-off shotgun;
(2) Machinegun;
(3) Short-barreled rifle;
(4) Pistol not validly registered to the current registrant in the District prior to September 24, 1976, except that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any organization that employs at least 1 commissioned special police officers or other employees licensed to carry a firearm and that arms the employee with a firearm during the employee’s duty hours or to a police officer who has retired from the Metropolitan Police Department.
(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent a police officer who has retired from the Metropolitan Police Department from registering a pistol.
§ 7-2502.03. Qualifications for registration; information required for registration
(a) No registration certificate shall be issued to any person (and in the case of a person between the ages of 18 and 21, to the person and his signatory parent or guardian) or organization unless the Chief determines thatsuch person (or the president or chief executive in the case of an organization):
(1) Is 21 years of age or older: Provided, that the Chief may issue to an applicant between the ages of 18 and 21 years old, and who is otherwise qualified, a registration certificate if the application is accompanied by a notarized statement of the applicant’s parent or guardian:
(A) That the applicant has the permission of his parent or guardian to own and use the firearm to be registered; and
(B) The parent or guardian assumes civil liability for all damages resulting fromthe actions of such applicant in the use of the firearm to be registered: Provided further, that such registration certificate shall expire on such person’s 21st birthday;
(2) Has not been convicted of a crime of violence, weapons offense, or of a violation of this chapter;
(3) Is not under indictment for a crime of violence or a weapons offense;(4) Has not been convicted within 5 years prior to the application of any:
(A) Violation in any jurisdiction of any law restricting the use, possession, or sale of any narcotic or dangerous drug; or
(B) A violation of § 22-507, regarding threats to do bodily harm, or § 22-504, regarding assaults and threats, or any similar provision of the law of any other jurisdiction so as to indicate a likelihood to make unlawful use of a firearm;
(5) Within the 5-year period immediately preceding the application, has not been acquitted of any criminal charge by reason of insanity or has not been adjudicated a chronic alcoholic by any court: Provided, that this paragraph shall not apply if such person shall present to the Chief, with the application, a medical certification indicating that the applicant has recovered from such insanity or alcoholic condition and is capable of safe and responsible possession of a firearm;
(6) Within the 5 years immediately preceding the application, has not been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to any mental hospital or institution: Provided, that this paragraph shall not apply, if such person shall present to the Chief, with the application, a medical certification that the applicant has recovered from whatever malady prompted such commitment;(7) Does not appear to suffer from a physical defect which would tend to indicate that the applicant would not be able to possess and use a firearm safely and responsibly;
(8) Has not been adjudicated negligent in a firearm mishap causing death or serious injury to another human being;
(9) Is not otherwise ineligible to possess a pistol under § 22-3203;
(10) Has not failed to demonstrate satisfactorily a knowledge of the laws of the District of Columbia pertaining to firearms and the safe and responsible use of the same in accordance with tests and standards prescribed by the Chief: Provided, that once this determination is made with respect to a given applicant for a particular type of firearm, it need not be made again for the same applicant with respect to a subsequent application for the same type of firearms: Provided, further, that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any firearm reregistered pursuant to § 6-2316; and
(11) Has vision better than or equal to that required to obtain a valid driver’s license under the laws of the District of Columbia: Provided, that current licensure by the District of Columbia, of the applicant to drive, shall be prima facie evidence that such applicant’s vision is sufficient and: Provided further, that this determination shall not be made with respect to persons applying to reregistered any firearm pursuant to § 6-2316.
(b) Every person applying for a registration certificate shall provide on a form prescribed by the Chief:
(1) The full name or any other name by which the applicant is known;
(2) The present address and each home address where the applicant has resided during the 5-year period immediately preceding the application:
(3) The present business or occupation and any business or occupation in which the applicant has engaged during the 5-year period immediately preceding the application and the addresses of such businesses or places of employment;
(4) The date and place of birth of the applicant;
(5) The sex of the applicant;
(6) Whether (and if so, the reasons) the District, the United States or the government of any state or subdivision of any state has denied or revoked the applicant’s license, registration certificate, or permit pertaining to any firearm;
(7) A description of the applicant’s role in any mishap involving a firearm,including the date, place, time, circumstances, and the names of the persons injured or killed;
(8) The intended use of the firearm;
(9) The caliber, make, model, manufacturer’s identification number, serialnumber, and any other identifying marks on the firearm;
(10) The name and address of the person or organization from whom the firearm was obtained, and in the case of a dealer, his dealer’s license number;
(11) Where the firearm will generally be kept;
(12) Whether the applicant has applied for other registration certificates issued and outstanding;
(13) Such other information as the Chief determines is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Every organization applying for a registration certificate shall:
(1) With respect to the president or chief executive of such organization, comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section; and
(2) Provide such other information as the Chief determines is necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
§ 7-2502.04. Fingerprints and photographs of applicants; application in person required
(a) The Chief may require any person applying for a registration certificate to be fingerprinted if, in his judgment, this is necessary to conduct an efficient and adequate investigation into the matters described in § 6-2313 and to effectuate the purpose of this chapter: Provided, that any person who has been fingerprinted by the Chief within 5 years prior to submitting the application need not, in the Chief’s discretion, be fingerprinted again if he offers other satisfactory proof of identity.
(b) Each applicant, other than an organization, shall submit with the application 2 full-face photographs of himself, 1 3/4 by 1 7/8 inches in size which shall have been taken within the 30-day period immediately preceding the filing of the application.
(c) Every applicant (or in the case of an organization, the president or chief executive, or a person authorized in writing by him), shall appear in person at a time and place prescribed by the Chief, and may be required to bring with him the firearm for which a registration certificate is sought, which shall be unloaded and securely wrapped, and carried in open view.
§ 7-2502.05. Application signed under oath; fees
(a) Each applicant (the president or chief executive in the case of an(organization) shall sign an oath or affirmation attesting to the truth of all the information required by § 6-2313.
(b) Each application required by this subchapter shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee to be established by the Mayor: Provided, that such fee shall, in the judgment of the Mayor, reimburse the District for the cost of services provided under this subchapter.
§ 7-2502.06. Time for filing registration applications
(a) An application for a registration certificate shall be filed (and a registration certificate issued) prior to taking possession of a firearm from a licensed dealer or from any person or organization holding a registration certificate therefor. In all other cases, an application for registration shall be filed immediately after a firearm is brought into the District. It shall be deemed compliance with the preceding sentence if such person personally communicates with the Metropolitan Police Department (as determined by the Chief to be sufficient) and provides such information as may be demanded: Provided, that such person files an application for a registration certificate within 48 hours after such communication.
(b) Any firearm validly registered under prior regulations must be registered pursuant to this chapter in accordance with procedures to be promulgated by the Chief. An application to register such firearm shall be filed pursuant to this chapter within 60 days of September 24, 1976.
§ 7-2502.07. Issuance of registration certificate; time period; corrections
(a) Upon receipt of a properly executed application for registration certificate, the Chief, upon determining through inquiry, investigation, or otherwise, that the applicant is entitled and qualified under the provisions of this chapter, thereto, shall issue a registration certificate. Each registration certificate shall be in duplicate and bear a unique certificate number and such other information as the Chief determines is necessary to identify the applicant and the firearm registered. The duplicate of the registration certificate shall be delivered to the applicant and the Chief shall retain the original.
(b) The Chief shall approve or deny an application for a registration certificate within a 60-day period beginning on the date the Chief receives the application, unless good cause is shown, including nonreceipt of information from sources outside the District government: Provided, that in the case of an application to register a firearm validly registered under prior regulations, the Chief shall have 365 days after the receipt of such application to approve or deny such application. The Chief may hold in abeyance an application where there is a revocation proceeding pending against such person or organization.
(c) Upon receipt of a registration certificate, each applicant shall examine same to ensure that the information thereon is correct. If the registration certificate is incorrect in any respect, the person or organization named thereon shall return it to the Chief with a signed statement showing the nature of the error. The Chief shall correct the error, if it occurred through administrative error. In the event the error resulted from information contained in the application, the applicant shall be required to file an amended application setting forth the correct information, and a statement explaining the error in the original application. Each amended application shall be accompanied by a fee equal to that required for the original application.
(d) In the event the Chief learns of an error in a registration certificate other than as provided in subsection (c) of this section, he may require the holder to return the registration certificate for correction. If the error resulted from information contained in the application, the person or organization named therein shall be required to file an amended application as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Each registration certificate issued by the Chief shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the registrant’s duties under this chapter.
(f) In the discretion of the Chief of Police, a registration certificate may be issued to a retired police officer who is a resident of the District of Columbia for a pistol and ammunition which conforms to the Metropolitan Police Department General Orders and policies.
(g) When the retired police officer ceases to be a resident of the District of Columbia the registration certificate expires.
(h) Nothing in this chapter shall create an entitlement to a registration certificate for a retired police officer. If the Chief of Police denies a retired police officer’s registration certificate application, the Chief of Police shall state the reasons for the denial in writing.
(i) The District of Columbia shall not incur any liability by reason of theissuance or denial of a certificate, nor for any use made of the registered firearm.
§ 7-2502.08. Duties of registrants; penalties
Each person and organization holding a registration certificate, in addition to any other requirements imposed by this chapter, or the acts of Congress, shall:
(1) Notify the Chief in writing of:
(A) The loss, theft, or destruction of the registration certificate or of a registered firearm (including the circumstances, if known) immediately upon discovery of such loss, theft, or destruction;
(B) A change in any of the information appearing on the registration certificate or required by § 6-2313;
(C) The sale, transfer or other disposition of the firearm not less than 48 hours prior to delivery, pursuant to such sale, transfer or other disposition, including:
(i) Identification of the registrant, the firearm and the serial number of the registration certificate;
(ii) The name, residence, and business address and date of birth of the person to whom the firearm has been sold or transferred; and
(iii) Whether the firearm was sold or how it was otherwise transferred or disposed of.
(2) Return to the Chief, the registration certificate for any firearm which is lost, stolen, destroyed, or otherwise transferred or disposed of, at the time he notifies the Chief of such loss, theft, destruction, sale, transfer, or other disposition.
(3) Have in his possession, whenever in possession of a firearm, the registration certificate of such firearm, and exhibit the same upon the demand of a member of the Metropolitan Police Department, or other law enforcement officer.
§ 7-2502.09. Revocation of registration certificate
A registration certificate shall be revoked if:
(1) Any of the criteria in § 6-2313 are not currently met;
(2) The registered firearm has become an unregisterable firearm under the terms of § 6-2312, or a destructive device;
(3) The information furnished to the Chief on the application for a registration certificate proves to be intentionally false; or
(4) There is a violation or omission of the duties, obligations or requirements imposed by § 6-2318.
§ 22-3201. Definitions.
(a) “Pistol,” as used in this chapter, means any firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches in length.
(b) “Sawed-off shotgun,” as used in this chapter, means any shotgun with a barrel less than 20 inches in length.
(c) “Machinegun,” as used in this chapter, means any firearm which shoots automatically or semi-automatically more than 12 shots without reloading.
(d) “Person,” as used in this chapter, includes individual, firm, association, or corporation.134
(e) “Sell” and “purchase” and the various derivatives of such words, as used in this chapter, shall be construed to include letting on hire, giving, lending, borrowing, and otherwise transferring.
§ 22-3203. Unlawful possession of a pistol.
(a) No person shall own or keep a pistol, or have a pistol in his possession or under his control within the District of Columbia, if
(1) He is a drug addict;
(2) He has been convicted in the District of Columbia or elsewhere of a felony;
(3) He has been convicted of violating section 22-2701, section 22-2722, or sections 22-3302 to 22-3306; or
(4) He is not licensed under section 22-3210 to sell weapons, and he has beenconvicted of violating sections 22-3201 to 22-3215.
(b) No person shall keep a pistol for, or intentionally make a pistol available to, such a person, knowing that he has been so convicted or that he is a drug addict. * * * *
§ 22-3207. Certain sales of pistols prohibited.
No person shall within the District of Columbia sell any pistol to a person who he has reasonable cause tobelieve is not of sound mind, or is forbidden by section 22-3203 to possess a pistol, or, except when the relation of parent and child or guardian and ward exists, is under the age of twenty-one years.
§ 22-3208. Transfers of firearms regulated.
No seller shall within the District of Columbia deliver a pistol to the purchaser thereof until forty-eight hours shall have elapsed from the time of the application for the purchase thereof, except in the case of sales to marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, policemen, or other duly appointed law-enforcement officers, and, when delivered, said pistol shall be securely wrapped and shall be unloaded. At the time of applying for the purchase of a pistol the purchaser shall sign in duplicate and deliver to the seller a statement [contact local authorities for required contents] * * * No machinegun, sawed-off shotgun, or blackjack shall be sold to any person other than the persons designated in section 22-3214 as entitled to possess the same, and then only after permission to make such sale has been obtained from the chief of police of the District of Columbia. This section shall not apply to sales at wholesale to licensed dealers.
§ 22-3211. False information in purchase of weapons prohibited.
No person shall, in purchasing a pistol or in applying for a license to carry the same, or in purchasing a machinegun, sawed-off shotgun * * * within the District of Columbia, give false information or offer false evidence of his identity.
OFF LIMITS
§ 22-4502.01 Gun free zones; enhanced penalty
(a) All areas within,1000 feet of an appropriately identified public or private day care center, elementary school, vocational school, secondary school, college, junior college, or university, or any public swimming pool, playground, video arcade, youth center, or public library, or in and around public housing as defined in section 3(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, approved August 22, 1974 (88 Stat. 654; 42 U.S.C. § 1437a(b)), the development or administration of which is assisted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or in or around housing that is owned, operated, or financially assisted by the District of Columbia Housing Authority, or an event sponsored by any of the above entities shall be declared a gun free zone. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “appropriately identified” means that there is a sign that identifies the building or area as a gun free zone.
(b) Any person illegally carrying a gun within a gun free zone shall be punished by a fine up to twice that otherwise authorized to be imposed, by a term of imprisonment up to twice that otherwise authorized to be imposed, or both.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person legally licensed to carry a firearm in the District of Columbia who lives or works within 1000 feet of a gun free zone or to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps of the United States; the National Guard or Organized Reserves when on duty; the Post Office Department or its employees when on duty; marshals, sheriffs, prison, or jail wardens, or their deputies; policemen or other duly-appointed law enforcement officers; officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry such weapons; banking institutions; public carriers who are engaged in the business of transporting mail, money, securities, or other valuables; and licensed wholesale or retail dealers.
§ 22-4503.02 Prohibition of firearms from public or private property
(a) The District of Columbia may prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on its property and any property under its control.
(b) Private persons or entities owning property in the District of Columbia may prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on their property; provided, that this subsection shall not apply to law enforcement personnel when lawfully authorized to enter onto private property.
§ 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.
However, there are exceptions for legally registered firearms.
Section 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: Within the registrant's home; While it is being used for lawful recreational purposes; While it is kept at the registrant's place of business; or 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.
NOTE: All federally restricted carry limitations apply as well.
§ 22-4505. Exceptions
(a) The provisions of § n 22-4504 shall not apply to marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies, policemen or other duly appointed law enforcement officers, including special agents of the Office of Tax and Revenue, authorized in writing by the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Office of Tax and Revenue to carry a firearm while engaged in the performance of their official duties, and criminal investigators of the Office of the Inspector General, designated in writing by the Inspector General, while engaged in the performance of their official duties, or to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps of the United States or of the National Guard or Organized Reserves when on duty, or to the regularly enrolled members of any organization duly authorized to purchase or receive such weapons from the United States, provided such members are at or are going to or from their places of assembly or target practice, or to officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to
carry a concealed pistol, or to any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of any such person having in his or her possession, using, or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of such business, or to any person while carrying a pistol, transported in accordance with § n 22-4504.02, from the place of purchase to his or her home or place of business or to a place of repair or back to his or her home or place of business or in moving goods from one place of abode or business to another.
(b) The provisions of § n 22-4504 with respect to pistols shall not apply to a police officer who has retired from the Metropolitan Police Department, if the police officer has registered a pistol and it is concealed on or about the police officer.
FIREARM TRANSPORTATION
§ 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:
(1) Unloaded;
(2) Inside a locked container; and
(3) Separate from any ammunition.
U.S. Code Title 18, Part I, Chapter 44, 926a "Interstate Transportation of Firearms";
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without 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.
NOTE: If one must travel through Washington D.C. during their travels, do not stop If one stops they will be subjected to Washington D.C. law and no longer covered under the Federal Law (Title 18 Part 1 Chapter 44 § 926A)
RECIPROCITY
Washington D.C. does not recoginize any concealed carry permit/license from any state.
Washington D.C. residents are allowed to carry in Alaska, Arizona and Vermont. These states allow any persons legally allowed to own and possess a firearm to carry within their state.
NON-RESIDENT
Washington D.C. does not issue any sort of concealed carry permit/license.