Washington DC Concealed Carry Laws

Washington DC is a shall-issue state for CCW permits. The DC metropolitan police are responsible for processing permit applications in Washington DC. Washington DC issues a concealed pistol license to both residents and non-residents, but non-residents must register the license in Washington DC.

However, you must meet all the requirements before you apply.

There are no purchase permits and firearm registration in Washington DC, but you must go through the criminal record background check, except in certain situations.  

To conceal carry in Washington DC, you must be familiar with all gun laws.

Washington DC Gun Laws

In Washington DC, you can conceal carry with you a concealed pistol license issued in Washington DC. Non-residents can also apply for the CCW permit.

You can also conceal carry with a permit from every other state that meets Washington DC concealed carry requirements.

You must be at least twenty-one years old before Washington DC concealed carry permit application.

Without the necessary permit, concealed carry is illegal in Washington DC except when you are in your place of residence or any property that you own or occupy.

Washington DC CCW Permit Reciprocity.

Washington DC has requirements for permits not issued in Washington DC.

Therefore, Washington DC will not honor other state permits that do not meet up these requirements.

Other aspects of its CCW permit reciprocity includes the following:

• States that Washington DC will accept their CCW permit: If your state of residence permits meet the requirements and standard provided by Washington DC, you can conceal carry from Washington DC. Note that this requirement is different for each state. Washington DC will only accept enhanced permits from Idaho and South Dakota, but you can conceal carry with an ordinary Oklahoma CCW permit. There are ten states of such in the USA.
• States that will accept a Washington DC CCW permit: You can conceal carry with Washington DC CCW permit in these states. There are thirteen of them in Washington DC..
• States that have a permitless carry policy: These states have a permitless policy, and you do not need a permit from any state before you can conceal carry. But you have to meet all the requirements to conceal carry provided by these states. These are fourteen of them.

Before Washington DC honors a CCW permit from a state, the state permit must meet the following requirements.

• Have reciprocity and honor Washington DC concealed pilot licenses.
• They must issue CCW permits to only those above the age of twenty-one.
• Fingerprint and mental health checks must be a requirement to issue a permit 
• The state  must conduct a criminal record background check before issuing a permit.

Also, as a resident of Washington DC looking to conceal carry in other states, you must understand the gun law in Washington DC as well as firearm handling requirements.

Location Restrictions for CCW in Washington DC

In Washington DC, you cannot conceal carry in every area, even with your concealed pistol license.

These areas are off-limits, and some of them usually have signage to restrict firearm possession.  

The only exception to this law is law enforcement officers and peace officers in Washington DC.

Breaking this law can lead to a court charge; therefore, you must know where you can conceal carry and where you cannot conceal carry in Washington DC.

Places Where You Cannot Conceal Carry In Washington DC.

• You are not allowed to conceal carry in schools (primary, secondary, and elementary). The only exceptions to this are concealed pistol license holders who can keep the firearms in their vehicle while dropping off kids at the school, and students more than eighteen years’ old who are legally possessing a firearm.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in school buses or any other transportation meant for school purposes.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in buildings or locations used by schools.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in prisons and correctional facilities.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in any facility used by law enforcement agencies.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in any building used for court proceedings, and this includes courtrooms, chambers, and officers used by judges, business areas, jury rooms, etc.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in safety areas of hospitals and mental health homes.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in any state institutions for mental health.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in areas that are off limits to those under the age of twenty-one in Washington DC.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in safety areas of an airport.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in licensed children facilities or any state emergency center.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in the University of Washington DC.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in any free music festival in an outdoor center.
• You cannot conceal carry on racing grounds.
• You cannot conceal carry in programs hosted for pregnant women and parents.
• You cannot conceal carry in any residence used by Washington DC for juvenile rehab administration.
• You cannot conceal carry while riding a snowmobile.
• You are not allowed to conceal carry in any place prohibited by federal law.

Places Where You Can Conceal Carry in Washington DC

• Washington DC gun laws do not restrict you from possession your firearm in the following places or situations:
• Restaurants and Bars: You can only conceal carry in the eatery area. Concealed carry is not allowed in bars and places restricted to under twenty-one people.
• Person car: You can conceal carry in your car, however, if you do not have a permit for your firearm, keep the firearm away from public view.
• Concealed carry in roadsides: You can conceal carry in roadsides and recreational areas.
• State/National forests and parks: You can conceal carry in state parks and forests as well as wildlife management areas.
• Public transport while traveling: You can conceal carry in a train, bus, or any other mass transit as long as you are with your Washington DC concealed pistol license.
• Airplane: You can conceal carry in areas that are unrestricted except there is a post prohibiting the possession of firearms.
• Places Of Worship: No Washington DC gun laws are prohibiting the possession of firearms in places of worship. But since they are also private properties, they can carry signage prohibiting firearm possession.

Concealed Carry for Law Enforcement Officers In Washington DC

Law enforcement officers in the USA can conceal according to the Law enforcement officers’ safety act.

This act means that law officers (active and retired) cannot be restricted from the possession of firearms according to any state or municipality law in the jurisdiction of the country.

Retired officers in Washington DC can conceal carry from the agency they retired from submitting the necessary documents.

As long as the officer was not a convict, insane, or committed a crime that makes him or her eligible for a concealed carry permit, he or she will get an approved application.

Buying and Selling of Firearms in Washington DC

To deal with firearms in Washington DC, you have to understand the laws and requirements for possession, transferring, transporting, buying, and selling.

Purchase Permit and Handgun Registration in Washington DC

There are no purchasing permits for buying firearms in Washington DC; however, if you are buying high-end ammunition, you must provide a firearm training certificate.

Also, there is  firearm registration in Washington DC. The dealer must write out the details of a sale and submit it to the licensing department.

Criminal Record Background Check for CCW Purchase

Every firearm dealer in Washington DC must conduct a background check before the sales are complete.

Private dealers who do not have the means to do so can make the check through a federally licensed dealer.

A background check is not necessary for the following situations.

• The transfer of firearms between immediate family members such as parents, spouses, children, cousins, nieces, nephews, siblings, etc.
• A transfer to prevent an imminent danger like a serious injury and bodily harm, as long as the transfer lasts for a period that is necessary to alleviate the danger. The transferee, in this case, must be someone that can legally possess a firearm in Washington DC.
• Temporary transfer of firearms between partners or friends during a live-wire session or firearm competition.

Note that your concealed pistol permit does not exempt you from the criminal record background check.

Waiting Period for Purchasing Firearm in Washington DC

There is no required period stated by the gun laws of Washington DC to complete firearms purchases.

However, completing a criminal background check can take up to ten days.

For people who do not have a state ID or driver’s license and are nor a resident of Washington DC, the criminal record background check may take ten to sixty days.

Age Requirement for The Possession and Handling of Firearm in Washington DC

You must be at least 21 years old before you possess or transport a firearm in Washington DC.

Possession of Firearm In Personal Properties

You can possess your firearm in your home of residence, place of business, or any property that you lease or rent.

CCW Permit Requirement in Washington DC

For Washington DC concealed carry permit application, you must meet all the requirements provided by gun laws in Washington DC

They include the following:

• You must be at least twenty-one years old.
• You must not be a convict or have any pending indictment.
• You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
• You must not be a felon or have any felony conviction.
• You must not have any court protection order that has to do with the handling or possession of firearms.
• You must not be awaiting trial or during a sentencing process or a felony crime.
• You must not be a drug abuser or deal with substances under control by the Drug Law Enforcement Agency
• You must not have any firearm restrictions in the past year.
• You must not have a previously revoked Washington DC concealed pistol license.
• You must not be a mentally impaired person or have any reoccurring mental illness.
• You must meet all federal law requirements for the CCW permit.

Castle Doctrine in Washington DC

Washington DC does not specifically have a castle doctrine law. But Washington DC’s supreme court always reaches a verdict that as long as a person is in a place where he or she has a legal right to be, the person does not have a duty to retreat at an attack.  

This means that the person will get immunity from civil liability for self-defense, or protection of property and family members.

This also applies if you are protecting someone from an injury, imminent death, or crimes such as robbery, rape, burglary, kidnapping, etc.

How to Apply for CCW Permit In Washington DC

Having met Washington DC concealed carry permit requirements, you can go ahead to apply for your CCW permit.

The procedure includes the following:

• Complete Your Application

You can either visit your local county sheriff’s office to pick up the application or download it from the web portal.

• Submit The Necessary Documents

Submit at a local law enforcement agency. Other documents you will provide includes:

Proof that you are a resident of Washington DC. You must stay in Washington DC for at least ninety days before application.

• Receive Mail Notification

You will receive a mail to notify you of an approved or a denied CCW application.

Firearm Training Requirement in Washington DC.

Unlike in most states of the USA, there is no requirement for a Washington DC concealed carry permit course or firearm training before CCW permit application.

However, having firearm knowledge is for your benefit, and it would make you a responsible armed American.

Therefore, you can enroll for a Washington DC concealed carry online firearm course. Make sure that a certified and experienced instructor is in charge of the course.

Washington DC Concealed Carry FAQs

Here are some of the things you should know about CCW in Washington DC.

• For How Long Is My Washington DC CCW Permit Valid?

The permit is valid for two years; after which you have to apply for a renewal.

• How Much Is the Washington DC CCW Permit Application?

The initial permit and renewal permit cost $75. However, there is an extra charge for fingerprints.

• How Long Will It Take to Get My Washington DC CCW Permit Application?

The processing period for permits is ninety days.

• When Can I Apply for a CCW Renewal Permit In Washington DC?

You can start applying for a renewal permit ninety days before your permit expires, and you have till ninety days after the expiry date.