District of Columbia Gun Control Laws

• Section 22-4501: Definitions
• Section 4503: Unlawful possession of a firearm
• Section 4507: Certain sales of pistols prohibited
• Section 4514: Possession of certain dangerous weapons prohibited;  exceptions

D.C. prohibits possession of these firearms and deems them unregistrable:

• Sawed-off shotguns
• Machine guns
• Short-barreled rifles
• An unsafe handgun prohibited under D.C. Official Code section 7-2505.04
• An assault weapon
• A .50 BMG rifle

You are not allowed to own a firearm if you:

• Were convicted of certain weapons offenses or a felony, which includes all crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year
• Are under indictment for a crime of violence or a weapons offense
• Are a fugitive from justice
• Are addicted to any controlled substance
• Are subject to a court order that requires you to relinquish a firearm or restrains you from harassing, assaulting, or threatening another person
• Have not been found negligent in any firearm mishap causing death or injury to another person

• Been convicted of a narcotics or dangerous drug offense
• Been convicted of two or more violations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Been convicted of an intrafamily offense punishable as a misdemeanor
• Been acquitted of any criminal charge by reason of insanity or adjudicated a chronic alcoholic by any court
• Been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to any mental hospital or institution
• A history of violent behavior
• Been the respondent in an intrafamily proceeding in which a civil protection order or a foreign protection order was issued against you

• Be at least 21 years old
• Live or work in D.C.
• Not suffer from mental illness or another condition that is likely to create a substantial risk for yourself or others
• Appear for an in-person interview at the police headquarters
• Take a firearm safety training course
• Get a registration certificate for the firearm you are seeking a permit for
• Be a suitable person to get a permit

Nonresidents with a valid concealed carry permit from another state can apply to get a concealed carry permit.

• Possession of a firearm by a person with a felony conviction is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The minimum sentence for this violation is 1 year. If the prior conviction is for a crime of violence, the punishment can go up to 15 years.
• You will be sentenced to not less than 2 years and no more than 10 years in prison if you are in possession of a firearm while you:
  • Are a fugitive from justice
  • Are addicted to controlled substances
  • Are subject to an order for protection
  • Are required by a court order to relinquish possession of a firearm
  • Have been convicted of an intrafamily offense in the past five years
• Possessing a firearm without having it properly registered is an offense that is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.