Concealed Carry in Washington, DC (2026): Licenses, Metro, and Where You Can’t Carry
DC is the strictest place most of our readers carry, and the rules are unlike anywhere else. The District honors no outside permits, it requires registration of every handgun, and a huge share of the city is federal ground. The good news most people miss: DC licenses non-residents too. Here’s how DC concealed carry works in 2026.
At a glance
| License required? | Yes. A DC concealed carry license from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) |
| Out-of-state permits | Not honored, from any state |
| Non-residents | Can apply if they hold a concealed carry license from their home state |
| Training | 16 hours plus 2 hours of range training with an MPD-certified instructor |
| Registration | Every pistol you carry must be registered with MPD |
| Metro | Off-limits: Metrorail, Metrobus, DC Circulator and Streetcar |
| Tell police you’re armed? | Yes, at any investigative stop |
| Last checked | September 2026 |
Legal note
This is general legal education, not legal advice. Carry laws change, often through court rulings, so confirm current law with the official sources listed at the bottom before relying on anything here. Facts on this page were checked against primary sources in September 2026.
Who can get a DC license
You must be at least 21, meet DC’s firearm registration requirements, own a DC-registered handgun, meet MPD’s suitability standards and complete the required training. Licenses last two years.
On residency, the statute is broader than a lot of people think. D.C. Code § 22-4506 lets MPD license a person with a residence or place of business in DC, or a person with a residence anywhere in the United States who holds a concealed carry license from their home state. So a Maryland or Virginia permit holder can apply for a DC license. What they can’t do is carry in DC on their home-state permit alone.
Budget for a $75 application fee plus fingerprinting, registration and training costs.
Visitors: no permit carries over
DC honors no other jurisdiction’s license, and open carry is prohibited for civilians. If you’re driving through, federal law (18 U.S.C. § 926A) protects transporting an unloaded gun locked away from the passenger compartment, if it’s legal at both ends of your trip. Commuters should read our DC-Maryland-Virginia reciprocity guide.
Where you can’t carry
DC’s list is in D.C. Code § 7-2509.07, and it’s long. With a license, you still can’t carry in:
- DC government buildings and offices
- Schools, child care centers, colleges and universities, including their grounds
- Hospitals and medical and mental health facilities
- Jails, juvenile facilities and halfway houses
- Polling places while voting is under way
- Public transit vehicles and Metrorail stations
- Bars and nightclubs (establishments with tavern or nightclub liquor licenses); licensed restaurants are exempt from this rule
- Stadiums and arenas
- Public gatherings and special events, when the organizer gives notice and posts signs
- Memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin, the White House area and the Naval Observatory grounds
- Within 1,000 feet of a dignitary or a demonstration, once police have given notice
Private property defaults
DC’s statute sets different defaults by property type. Private homes are presumed off-limits unless the owner personally tells you it’s fine. Places of worship are presumed off-limits unless posted to allow carry. Other private property is presumed open to carry unless posted otherwise. Note that the Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s rule banning carry on private property open to the public without owner consent in June 2026 (Wolford v. Lopez), so this corner of DC’s law could face challenges.
Federal property
Much of DC is federal. Firearms are generally banned in federal facilities (18 U.S.C. § 930) and on Postal Service property. Federal law lets you carry in national park areas where the local law allows it, but DC’s own law bans the Mall memorials, so don’t assume the grass between the museums is fair game.
Metro and buses
D.C. Code § 7-2509.07(a)(6) bans carrying on any public transportation vehicle, and the statute names Metrorail, Metrobus, the DC Circulator, the DC Streetcar and MetroAccess. The ban is being challenged in Angelo v. District of Columbia: in July 2026 the D.C. Circuit revived the case, but it hasn’t ruled on the merits. The ban is enforceable today. See our public transit guide.
If you get stopped
DC has the strictest duty to inform in the region. Under D.C. Code § 7-2509.04(d), if an officer stops you while you’re carrying, you must say you’re carrying, present your license and registration, say where the pistol is, and follow lawful orders, which can include a pat-down and the officer holding the gun during the stop. You must have your license on you any time you carry. Our duty to inform guide covers how to handle it calmly.
DC concealed carry gotchas
- Magazines: DC bans magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. A standard magazine that’s legal in Virginia can be a crime here.
- Secure it before you walk in: if you’re approaching a prohibited place by car, DC law expects you to secure the pistol in the vehicle first.
- Registration first: you can’t get a license without a DC-registered pistol, and every gun you carry has to be registered.
- Your DC license stays in DC: Maryland honors no outside licenses. For Virginia, check the Virginia State Police recognition list before you cross the river.
FAQ
Can a Virginia resident get a DC carry license?
Yes, if they hold a concealed carry license from Virginia (or another home state), register their pistol with MPD and complete DC’s training.
Can I carry on the Metro with a DC license?
No. Metrorail and Metrobus are prohibited places under D.C. Code § 7-2509.07, even for licensees.
Can I carry in a DC restaurant?
Generally yes, with a license. The alcohol restriction targets bars and nightclubs; restaurant liquor licenses are exempt. Never carry while impaired.
Do I have to tell police I’m carrying?
Yes. DC requires licensees to disclose at an investigative stop and to present their license and registration.
Sources
- D.C. Code § 22-4506 (who may be licensed)
- D.C. Code § 7-2509.02 (application and training requirements)
- D.C. Code § 7-2509.07 (prohibited places)
- MPD: Eligibility requirements for a concealed carry license
- MPD: Firearms registration and CCL FAQ (training, magazines)
- DMV Carry: DC license fees and application steps
- Angelo v. District of Columbia, D.C. Cir. No. 24-7127 (July 7, 2026)
- Wolford v. Lopez, No. 24-1046 (U.S. June 25, 2026)
- 18 U.S.C. § 930
Related guides
- Concealed carry laws by city →
- DC-Maryland-Virginia reciprocity guide →
- Public transit carry laws →
- Duty to inform guide →
Carrying somewhere else? Check the other city guides:
Baltimore · Philadelphia · New York City · Chicago · Atlanta · Houston · Los Angeles
Build a setup that works here
Knowing the law is half of carrying in the city. The other half is a setup that disappears under your normal clothes. Start with our carry clothing guide and our leather vs. Kydex holster comparison.
Carry off-body or haul a laptop to work? Our guide to concealed carry bags and packs for urban use covers packs built for the city, and our urban EDC essentials covers the rest of what rides along. (Quick reminder: every no-carry rule on this page applies to what’s in your bag too.) Want it all in one spot? Browse the gear we recommend in our Urban Carry Shop.
There’s no holy grail setup, and what works for one carrier won’t work for everybody. Learn the rules where you live and travel, find the gear that fits your body and your day, and carry with confidence.