District of Columbia has significant carry restrictions, and the legal landscape has shifted substantially since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. New legislation, court rulings, and injunctions continue to affect what is currently enforceable. This page provides a general overview only — verify the current status of any specific provision with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) or a licensed District of Columbia attorney before relying on it.
District of Columbia carry status overview
District of Columbia requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a concealed handgun, issued by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The District of Columbia is not a state and has no reciprocity benefit for non-residents — its CPL is not transferable to or from other jurisdictions in the way state permits are. DC's process is administered by MPD and carries very limited locations where carry is practically available.
| Concealed carry | Concealed Pistol License (CPL) required |
| Governing law | D.C. Code § 22-4504.01 |
| Issuing authority | Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) |
| Open carry | Generally prohibited |
| Vehicle carry | Strict requirements — verify current rules |
| Post-Bruen changes | Yes — significant sensitive-location and process changes since 2022 |
Applying for a permit
Apply through Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Be prepared for a more involved process than in most other states — additional documentation, longer processing times, and in some cases an in-person interview may be required. Training requirements are typically more extensive than in shall-issue states.
Application info: https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/concealed-pistol-licensing ↗
Sensitive locations (post-Bruen)
Following the 2022 Bruen decision, District of Columbia enacted expanded "sensitive location" restrictions that prohibit carry — even with a valid permit — in a substantially wider range of places than before. Categories commonly include:
- Government buildings and courts
- Schools and educational institutions (K–12 and higher ed)
- Healthcare facilities
- Public transit
- Places of worship (unless authorized)
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol
- Public parks and gathering places (varies)
- Polling places
- Private property, unless affirmatively authorized by the owner — verify. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's version of this default rule in Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026). Whether this state has such a rule, and whether it survives that decision, has not been independently verified here.
These categories are illustrative — the specific list and ongoing litigation status varies. Verify the current, enforceable list directly with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) before carrying anywhere in District of Columbia.
Registration first — the licence is the second step
The District's structure trips up almost every applicant who approaches it like a normal carry permit, because in DC the licence is not the starting point.
To be eligible for a Concealed Carry Pistol License you must be 21 or older, meet the District's suitability standards, complete MPD-certified training including range work — and already possess a handgun registered in the District. Registration is a precondition, not paperwork you complete afterwards.
That matters because DC gates which handguns may be registered at all. A pistol must appear on the District Roster of Handguns Determined Not to be Unsafe, which MPD assembles from the California Roster plus the Maryland and Massachusetts approved lists. A firearm need not appear on all three, but it must appear on the District's compiled roster. A handgun that is entirely lawful in your home state may simply be unregistrable here, and if it cannot be registered it cannot support a licence.
Both residents and non-residents may apply, through the MPD Firearms Registration Branch. The initial fee is $75, plus $35 for fingerprinting if prints are not on file, and processing can run up to 90 days.
What DC requires of you while carrying
The District's rules govern not just where you may carry but how, and they are more prescriptive than any state's.
- Carry both documents. The concealed carry licence and the firearm registration must be on your person whenever you are carrying.
- Holster only. Off-body carry — a purse, satchel or bag — is expressly not permitted.
- Concealed only. A licensee may not carry openly, or in any manner that is not concealed. There is no open carry option in DC even with a licence.
- Disclose on any stop. You must tell the officer you are carrying, present the licence and registration, identify where the handgun is, and comply with all lawful orders — including a protective pat-down and allowing the officer to take temporary possession of the handgun.
Violating the licence conditions can cost you the licence itself, on top of any other penalty.
The prohibited-location list is correspondingly broad: DC government buildings and offices; the buildings and grounds — including adjacent parking lots — of childcare facilities, preschools, schools, colleges and universities; hospitals and offices whose primary service is medical or mental health care; penal institutions and halfway houses; premises serving alcohol for on-site consumption; WMATA/Metrorail vehicles and stations; and federal sensitive areas including National Mall memorial areas and the White House complex.
The magazine ban is in active litigation
DC prohibits magazines holding more than 10 rounds under D.C. Code § 7-2506.01, and the provision's status has moved twice in 2026.
On March 5, 2026, a panel of the D.C. Court of Appeals struck the magazine ban down in Benson v. United States. On April 22, 2026, the full court vacated that panel decision and granted rehearing en banc — which means the panel ruling is no longer law and the ban is back in effect pending re-argument.
Frequently asked questions — District of Columbia
Is it difficult to get a carry permit in District of Columbia?
The process in District of Columbia is generally more involved than in shall-issue states — expect more documentation, training requirements, and processing time. Apply through Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for the current specific requirements.
Has District of Columbia's carry law changed recently?
Yes, likely. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Bruen decision, many restrictive states including District of Columbia enacted new legislation addressing "sensitive locations" and permit processes. This area of law is actively litigated and continues to change. Always verify the current status before relying on any specific provision described here.
Does DC honor permits from other states?
No — none, from anywhere. The District recognises no concealed carry permit or licence issued by any state or jurisdiction. Carrying a pistol in DC on an out-of-state permit alone is a serious criminal offence under D.C. Code § 22-4504. Non-residents may apply for a DC licence, and that is the only lawful route.
Can a non-resident get a DC carry licence?
Yes, but there is a catch that surprises most applicants: you must also be able to register the handgun in the District, and you must actually possess a DC-registered handgun to be eligible. Registration is a precondition, not a formality. The pistol must also appear on the District Roster, which MPD builds from the California Roster plus the Maryland and Massachusetts approved lists — so a handgun that is perfectly legal at home may simply not be registrable here.
What do I have to do if police stop me while carrying in DC?
DC's requirements are among the most prescriptive in the country. You must carry both your concealed carry licence and your firearm registration on your person. If stopped by law enforcement you must disclose that you are carrying, present the licence and the registration, identify where the handgun is located, and comply with all lawful orders — including a protective pat-down and allowing the officer to take possession of the handgun for as long as necessary for safety.
Can I carry off-body or open carry in DC?
No to both. DC requires holster carry — off-body carry in a purse, satchel or bag is expressly not permitted. And a licensee may not carry a handgun openly or in any manner that is not concealed, so open carry is prohibited even with a valid licence.
How long is a DC licence valid?
Two years — the shortest term of any US jurisdiction. MPD recommends filing renewals 45 days before expiry to avoid a lapse. The initial application fee is $75, plus $35 for fingerprinting if prints are not already on file, and processing can take up to 90 days.