District of Columbia concealed carry laws, backed by the statute
At a glance
- Carry rule
- Permit with added requirements
- Minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permit valid here?
- No
- Statute
- D.C. Code § 22-4504
Carrying in District of Columbia
District of Columbia does issue carry permits to adults 21 and older, but the process asks more of you.
Expect in-person training and review by a state or local agency.
Requires 16 hours of classroom training and 2 hours of live-fire range training with a DC-certified instructor.
Source: D.C. Code § 22-4504. Metropolitan Police Department. Reviewed Q3 2026.
Does a non-resident permit work in District of Columbia?
A non-resident permit is a carry permit issued by a state you do not live in.
No. District of Columbia does not honor a non-resident permit. Carrying on it there is illegal, even if District of Columbia honors some other permits.
What it costs if you get this wrong
Carrying in District of Columbia without a license it recognizes is a crime. Felony, up to 5 years and $12,500. Up to 10 years with a prior.
Base offense for carrying without a valid or recognized license. Aggravating factors can raise it. Source: D.C. Code § 22-4504(a).
Getting District of Columbia's own permit
District of Columbia requires in-person training and processing by a state or local agency. Online-only training does not satisfy District of Columbia's rules.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit to carry in District of Columbia?
- Yes. District of Columbia requires a carry permit. The minimum age is 21.
- Does District of Columbia honor out-of-state permits?
- No. District of Columbia does not honor a non-resident permit. Carrying on one there is illegal.
- Where can I check District of Columbia's official rules?
- Check Metropolitan Police Department. The controlling law is D.C. Code § 22-4504.
Not sure where you stand?
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Check your state's rules →Sources and verification
- DC: D.C. Code § 22-4504. Metropolitan Police Department.
Recognition and carry-law data compiled from each state's statutes and official Attorney General, State Police, or Department of Public Safety reciprocity pages. Reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: Q3 2026. We review and update this information about once a quarter. Laws change between reviews, so verify with the destination state before you travel or apply. Read how we verify our information, including our public corrections log.