Gun Laws

Washington, DC has some of the strictest gun violence prevention laws in the country. Here are some of the gun laws in DC:

Registration

You must register certain types of firearms with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of DC, including handguns, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. To register, you must be at least 21 years old, have no felony convictions, and meet other criteria. You must also obtain a firearms registration permit from the MPD before taking possession of a firearm, which can take 60 days or longer to issue. There is a 10-day waiting period between purchasing a firearm and taking possession of it, but the registration certificate usually eliminates this wait.

• Possession

You can only possess a registered firearm in your home or place of business. You cannot possess ammunition without a valid firearm registration. It is also illegal to possess magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

• Carrying

You need a license to carry a concealed firearm in DC, but open carry is prohibited. To get a concealed carry license (CCPL), you must meet certain criteria, including:

• Being at least 21 years old
• Living or working in DC
• Not having a mental illness or other condition that could be a risk to yourself or others
• Completing a firearm safety training course approved by the MPD
• Passing an in-person interview at police headquarters
• Being a suitable person to receive a permit 

There are some exceptions to the concealed carry laws, including carrying a firearm within your home, while using it for lawful recreational purposes, or while keeping it at your place of business. However, you cannot carry a concealed firearm in certain places, such as:

At a polling place while voting is taking place

While consuming alcohol or impaired

In a building or office occupied by the District or its agencies

Near a childcare facility, school, or college

In a hospital or office that provides medical or mental health services

In a penal institution, secure juvenile facility, or halfway house

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