By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Maddy Teka, Esq. | Last reviewed June 09, 2021
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As most people know, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution preserves an individual's right to possess firearms:
"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
However, the District of Columbia's gun control laws are among the most restrictive in the country, requiring all firearms to be registered with the D.C Metropolitan Police Department. The following table contains more details about the District of Columbia's gun laws.
Relevant Statutes (Laws) |
District of Columbia Code. Division IV. Criminal Law and Procedure and Prisoners.
|
|---|---|
Illegal Arms |
D.C. prohibits possession of these firearms and deems them unregistrable:
|
Waiting Period |
10 days from the date of purchase to the date of delivery. |
Who May Not Own |
You are not allowed to own a firearm if you:
|
License Required? |
You don't need a license. But you need to register your firearm which serves the same purpose as a license. |
Concealed Carry License Required? |
Yes, you need a license to carry a concealed firearm in D.C. |
Open Carried Allowed? |
Open carry is prohibited in Washington D.C. |
Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License |
To be eligible for a concealed carry license, you must:
Nonresidents with a valid concealed carry permit from another state can apply to get a concealed carry permit. |
Machine Gun Laws |
Possession, sale, or transfer of machine guns is prohibited in D.C. |
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession |
|
Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds |
The punishment for illegally possessing a gun on or near school grounds is up to double the prison time or fine otherwise authorized to be imposed. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
D.C. gun laws vary considerably. What may be legal for a rifle may not be for a handgun and vice versa. In light of these variations, you should contact a D.C. criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the law(s) you are researching.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many District of Columbia attorneys offer free consultations.