District of Columbia Gun Laws & CCW Reciprocity (2026)
Quick answer: District of Columbia (DC) is a restrictive permit state meaning you need a permit (Concealed Carry Pistol License) to carry concealed. District of Columbia honors no other state’s permit and visitors need a District of Columbia-issued license to carry. Your District of Columbia permit is honored in 4 states and 29 more are permitless allowing carry in 33 states total.
📌 Reviewed against official sources: August 14, 2026 · By James Nicholas
Where your District of Columbia permit works (carry out)
With a District of Columbia-issued resident permit you can legally carry in 33 states: 4 honor the permit itself and 29 are permitless-carry states where eligible visitors need no permit at all.
✅ Permitless — no permit needed (29)
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNew HampshireNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontWest VirginiaWyoming
✅ Honor your District of Columbia permit (4)
Whose permits does District of Columbia honor? (carry in)
District of Columbia does not honor any other state’s carry permit. Visitors must qualify for and obtain a District of Columbia-issued license before carrying.
DC Code 22-4504(a): carrying without a DC-issued license is prohibited with no recognition of other states’ permits; 22-4506 lets non-residents apply for a DC CCPL (shall-issue post-Wrenn).
Key District of Columbia carry restrictions
- Pistol carried must be registered with MPD (registration required for all firearms)
- Duty to inform police when carrying
- 10-round magazine limit: IN FORCE, the March 2026 panel ruling striking it down (Benson v. U.S.) was vacated when the full D.C. Court of Appeals granted en banc rehearing on April 22, 2026, reinstating the limit pending the rehearing
- Extensive sensitive places: schools, National Mall/memorials, White House area, government buildings; open carry illegal
Duty to inform police: Yes.
District of Columbia permit basics
Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL), issued by MPD Chief: Non-residents may apply (DC Code 22-4506); shall-issue since Wrenn v. DC (2017). Minimum age: 21.
District of Columbia carry FAQ
Can you conceal carry in District of Columbia without a permit?
No. District of Columbia requires a permit (Concealed Carry Pistol License) to carry a concealed handgun. It is a restrictive permit state.
What states honor a District of Columbia (DC) carry permit?
A District of Columbia resident permit is honored in 4 states, and 29 more states have permitless carry where no permit is needed — 33 states total. See the full lists on this page or use our interactive reciprocity map.
Does District of Columbia recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits?
No. District of Columbia does not honor any other state’s carry permit.
Can I carry in Maryland with a District of Columbia permit?
No — Maryland does not honor a District of Columbia permit.
Is there a duty to inform police in District of Columbia?
Yes.
Official sources
- mpdc.dc.gov/page/eligibility-requirements-concealed…
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-4504
- code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-4506
- usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/dc-gun-la…
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on August 14, 2026 — including a dedicated primary-source verification pass against state statutes, attorney general and state police pages. Spot an error or a law change? Tell us and we’ll fix it fast.
Related states & resources
Neighboring states: Maryland, Virginia.
Tools: Interactive Reciprocity Map · Concealed Carry Reciprocity Guide · Concealed Carry by State · 2A Legal Glossary · carry gear reviews at Popular EDC.
Not legal advice. Freedom’s Lodge and Brand Avalanche Media are not attorneys; this page is general educational information, verified against the official sources above as of August 14, 2026 and subject to change at any time. Confirm current law with the official state source and/or a licensed attorney before carrying. See our full legal disclaimer and how we verify this data.