Whether you’re new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed carry permit may seem daunting. It doesn’t have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing the laws. Applying for a CCW varies by state. Read about the process for getting a District of Columbia (D.C.) Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL) below.

Similar to permit requirements, states vary greatly in their processes for how an applicant obtains a concealed handgun permit, what their permits/licenses are called, whether licenses include photographs, whether fingerprinting is required, license duration, license costs and turnaround times. Some states allow an applicant to complete an application online, while others require an in-person visit to the office of the respective issuing authority. There are even states that require the applicant to provide a list of non-related character references.

Concealed Carry Permit Basics

Washington, D.C. is a shall-issue district. Shall-issue means licensing authorities are compelled to issue a license as long as an applicant meets the basic requirements set out by state law. Concealed weapons licenses are issued by D.C. Metropolitan Police.

Open carry is illegal in D.C. District of Columbia Concealed Carry Pistol Licenses (CCPLs) are required in order to concealed carry and are issued to residents and non-residents. You must be at least 21 years old to get a concealed carry license in D.C. Any firearm you plan on carrying in Washington D.C. will also need to be registered in the district. In addition, possession of ammunition for an unregistered firearm is prohibited in the District of Columbia.

Some areas are off-limits even with a D.C. CCPL, including schools, public memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin and the area around the White House. In terms of reciprocity, Washington D.C. does not honor CCW licenses from any other state.

Federally Prohibited Persons

The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 make it illegal for a person who fits into any of the prohibited categories to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition. These laws prevent a state from issuing a concealed handgun permit/license as it would be illegal for people who fit in these categories, by federal law, to own or possess a gun.

What Are the License Requirements in DC?

An applicant must:

  • Be 21 or older
  • Possess a registered pistol, or register one at time of CCPL application
  • Have a bona fide residence or place of business:
    • Within the District of Columbia,
    • Within the United States and a license to carry a pistol concealed upon his or her person issued by the lawful authorities of any state or subdivision of the United States, or
    • Within the United States and meet all registration and licensing requirements
  • Have completed a firearms training course or combination of courses
  • Be a suitable person to be so licensed
  • Not have been convicted of any weapons offense or felony in any jurisdiction
  • Not be under indictment for a weapons or violence offense
  • Not have been convicted of assault, bodily harm or drugs offense within the prior five years
  • Not currently suffer nor have suffered from any mental illness or condition that creates a substantial risk that he or she is a danger to himself or herself or others in the previous five years
  • Not have been acquitted of any charge by reason of insanity within the last five years
  • Not have not been admitted to any mental hospital within the last five years
  • Not have any physical defect that would make it unsafe to use a firearm
  • Not have been found negligent in a firearm incident that resulted in death or injury
  • Not have been found guilty of a misdemeanor family offense
  • Not have renounced U.S. citizenship
  • Not be legally blind
  • Not have been convicted of two or more driving under the influence charges within the last five years
  • Not have had a civil protection order placed on him or her within the last five years
  • Not have had a conviction of stalking within the last five years
  • Not have a history of violence within the last five years
  • Have completed a firearms training course provided by the Metropolitan Police
  • Meet federal law requirements 

Do I Need Firearms Training in DC?

Yes. An applicant must also complete a firearms training course certified by the chief, which includes at least 16 hours of training and covers the following:

  • Firearm safety
  • Firearm nomenclature
  • Basic principles of marksmanship
  • Care, cleaning, maintenance, loading, unloading and storage of pistols
  • Situational awareness, conflict management and use of deadly force
  • Selection of pistols and ammunition for defensive purposes
  • All applicable District and federal firearms laws and District law pertaining to self-defense

At least two hours of range training that includes live-fire exercises must also be completed and conducted by an instructor certified by the chief.

Potential Exemption – Per D.C. Code of Municipal Regulations 2336.3, the Chief may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt a person from the training requirements if the person submits evidence that he or she has received firearms training that is equal to or greater than that required by the Act.

A renewal applicant must complete four hours of firearm safety training and two hours of range practice within the previous 12 months.

How Do I Get a Concealed Handgun Permit in DC?

Step 1: Complete a firearms training course if required.

Step 2: Download the application and instructions.

Step 3: Bring all the items noted in the instructions to the Firearms Registration Section at:

Room 3058
300 Indiana Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

You will be fingerprinted and photographed.

You will be notified within 60 days whether your application has been approved or denied.

 

For more information, visit the USCCA Washington D.C. gun laws page now…