Federal district · DC
District of Columbia gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at the District of Columbia's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed · magazine limit (10 rounds) · “assault weapon” ban
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- Yes. You need a registration certificate from MPD (the Metropolitan Police Department) before taking possession.
- Long guns
- Yes. A registration certificate is required.
Registration#
- Yes. All firearms must be registered with MPD.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue since 2022 (the MPD Concealed Carry Pistol License; the 'good reason' requirement was removed). Licenses are available to nonresidents.
- Open carry
- Prohibited.
- Reciprocity
- Doesn't honor other states' carry permits; visitors need a nonresident permit, where one is available.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- Yes.
Magazine limits#
- 10 rounds (upheld in Hanson v. D.C.).
Waiting period#
- 10 days.
Background checks and private sales#
- Yes. All transfers go through a licensed dealer and registration.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Prohibited.
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Prohibited.
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. The District of Columbia's own restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns still apply. ATF's federal non-enforcement policy doesn't change District law.
Ammunition#
- Yes. Only registered firearm owners (or licensed persons) may possess ammunition.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21
- Long gun purchase
- 21 for registration. 18- to 20-year-olds may register a firearm only with a notarized statement from a parent or guardian giving permission and accepting civil liability, and that registration expires on their 21st birthday (D.C. Code § 7-2502.03(a)(1)).
Shipping and buying online#
- Ammunition and firearms generally can't ship directly to DC consumers, and magazines over 10 rounds are banned. The dealer network is very small, so most online offers won't be available to DC buyers.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in the District of Columbia. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
Nothing on our watch list here right now. That usually means no major bill or court case is close to changing the District of Columbia's gun laws at the moment. We'll add items here as soon as our weekly scan finds them.
Sources and official links#
- MPD - Firearms Registration · Officialhttps://mpdc.dc.gov/service/firearms-registration
- D.C. Code Title 7, Ch. 25 · Officialhttps://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/7/chapters/25
- D.C. Code § 7-2502.03 (registration qualifications; ages) · Officialhttps://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/7-2502.03
District of Columbia entry last reviewed . Official District sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.