🤯 D.C. Open Carry: Spoiler Alert – It's a Hard Pass, Folks!
Hey there, freedom-loving friends, and welcome to the wildest ride in the gun law amusement park: trying to openly carry your trusty sidekick in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.! You might be thinking, "It's the land of the free, right? I'll just strap on my piece and stroll past the monuments like a boss!" Bless your heart. That kind of thinking is so retro in D.C., it’s practically a historical reenactment—one that ends with a serious chat with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Let's just get the main event out of the way, straight out of the gate: Open carry of handguns is generally a colossal "NOPE" in the District of Columbia. It's like asking for extra cheese on your low-carb diet—a violation of the rules, plain and simple. D.C. has some of the strictest gun laws in the whole U.S. of A., and they are not messing around. If you're flashing a firearm, you're looking for trouble, and D.C. police are happy to help you find a comfy spot in a holding cell. So, while your Instagram might look cooler, your legal life will be a whole lot messier.
However, since you're here for the super stretched, very lengthy, information packed low-down, we're going to pivot! The real game in D.C. is Concealed Carry. That's where you might be able to get in the door, but it's still a winding, paperwork-clogged road that makes the DMV look like a speed dating service. Get ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of how you can legally carry a pistol, because open carry is essentially a non-starter.
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| Can I Open Carry In Washington Dc |
Step 1: Face the Facts and Prep Your Mindset (The Reality Check)
Before you even think about buying a flight or a bus ticket to the District with your firearm, you need to understand the lay of the legal land. It’s like studying the playbook before the Super Bowl, only the referees are hyper-vigilant and the penalties are super steep.
1.1. Open Carry is Banned (Repeat After Me: No Open Carry)
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
Let's put this one on a billboard: D.C. law explicitly prohibits the open carrying of firearms, with only a few exceptions for folks like on-duty law enforcement. If you're a regular civilian, open carry is illegal. Period. Don't be that person who tests this rule. Your only legal route to carrying is concealed—meaning completely out of public view, like a secret agent with a really intense filing system.
1.2. D.C. is a "Shall-Issue" Jurisdiction for Concealed Carry
This is the good news, relatively speaking. After some legal battles that went all the way up to the big league (the Supreme Court!), D.C. moved from being "May-Issue" (where they could deny you a license for almost any reason) to "Shall-Issue." This means if you meet all the legal requirements, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) shall issue you a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). But those requirements are a beast.
1.3. Your Out-of-State Permit is Worthless Here
I know, I know. You've got that shiny CPL from your home state, and it’s recognized everywhere from sea to shining sea... except D.C. The District of Columbia currently does not recognize concealed carry permits from any other state. If you plan to carry, you have to get a D.C. permit. It's a whole new ballgame, pal.
Step 2: The Gauntlet of the Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Application
This is where the rubber meets the road. Getting a D.C. CPL is a process that requires patience, money, and a mountain of paperwork. It's not for the faint of heart, or for anyone who gets stressed out by long lines and bureaucracy.
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
2.1. Registration is a Prerequisite, Not an Afterthought
Before you can get a license to carry a pistol, that specific pistol must be legally registered in D.C. This process itself is an application, complete with a background check, fingerprinting, and a review to ensure the firearm isn't on D.C.'s banned list (goodbye, "assault weapons" and high-capacity magazines!). You must register the specific gun you intend to carry.
2.2. Training, Training, and More Training
You can't just show up and say, "I know how to shoot, let's go!" D.C. demands a specific, lengthy, MPD-certified training course. This typically involves:
16 hours of classroom instruction on firearms safety, marksmanship, D.C. and federal firearms laws, and the use of deadly force/self-defense laws.
2 hours of qualified range training, where you have to prove your proficiency (usually a 50-shot qualification course with a minimum accuracy score, like 70%).
If you're a non-resident and have previous training (like military or law enforcement), you might get an exemption for the shooting portion, but you still have to complete the training specific to D.C. law and self-defense. Don't skip the D.C. law class—it's super important.
2.3. The Eligibility Checklist (Are You "Suitable"? Sure, Buddy.)
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To even apply, you must meet a host of eligibility requirements, including:
Being at least 21 years old.
Not having certain disqualifying convictions (felonies, certain drug or violence misdemeanors within the last five years, etc.).
Not having certain disqualifying mental health conditions.
For non-residents, you must have a valid concealed carry license from your state of residence, and you must be eligible to register a firearm in D.C.
2.4. Submission Time and the Waiting Game
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
Once you have your training certificate, your registered pistol, and your completed application (Form PD-219 for registration and the CPL application), you must schedule an in-person appointment with the MPD's Firearms Registration Section. Pro-Tip: DO NOT bring your actual firearm to the police station for your appointment! You'll be fingerprinted, photographed, and you'll fork over the non-refundable application fee (right around $75, but always check the current rate—it can change faster than a weather forecast). Then, you wait. The MPD has a maximum of 90 days to notify you of their decision. Better get comfortable, because bureaucracy runs on its own clock.
Step 3: The Rules of Engagement (Where You Can and Cannot Go)
A D.C. CPL is not a golden ticket to carry anywhere and everywhere. In fact, D.C. has a laundry list of "Prohibited Places" where carrying a concealed pistol—even with a permit—is strictly forbidden.
3.1. Federal and Government Buildings
This is the big one. Since D.C. is packed with federal turf, you're out of luck in a ton of places: The Capitol Building, White House, Supreme Court, all Federal agency offices, D.C. government offices, schools, libraries, and basically any building owned or leased by the federal or D.C. government. You’ll see signs, but even without them, assume federal property is off-limits.
3.2. Public Transit, Parks, and Venues
You generally can't carry on D.C.'s public transit (Metro buses and trains), within 1,000 feet of a protest (yup, 1,000 feet!), inside stadiums, museums (like the Smithsonian—nope!), hospitals, or any location that posts a clear "No Firearms" sign.
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
3.3. When in Doubt, Secure It
If you approach a prohibited location, the law is crystal clear: you have to immediately secure the pistol. If you’re in a vehicle, it needs to be unloaded and locked away, separate from the ammunition, and inaccessible from the passenger compartment. If you're on foot, you need to leave the prohibited area immediately. Compliance is key, people!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How can I legally carry a firearm in Washington D.C.? You must obtain a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) after registering your specific firearm in D.C. Open carry is generally illegal.
Does D.C. recognize concealed carry permits from other states? No. The District of Columbia does not recognize permits from any other state. If you want to carry, you must get a D.C. CPL, though non-residents must also have a permit from their state of residence.
What kind of training is required for a D.C. CPL? The initial application requires a minimum of 16 hours of classroom instruction on safety and law, plus 2 hours of range training with a qualification test, all from an MPD-certified instructor.
How do I register my firearm in D.C.? You must complete the MPD's Application for Firearms Registration Certificate (PD-219), undergo a background check, get fingerprinted, and ensure your specific firearm (handgun, rifle, or shotgun) is not prohibited under D.C. law.
Where is it illegal to carry a concealed pistol, even with a D.C. CPL? It is illegal to carry in numerous Prohibited Places, including all federal and D.C. government buildings, the U.S. Capitol complex, schools, hospitals, public transit, and within 1,000 feet of a protest. You must know these rules backward and forward!
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