Weapons in CMVs - District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, concealed carry of a firearm is legal for adults age 21 and older who are allowed by state and federal law to possess a firearm and who have a District of Columbia Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL).

Handguns may be carried in private vehicles with a D.C. CCPL only. Without a permit, firearms must be unloaded, inside a locked container other than the glove compartment or console and separate from ammunition.

Permits

The Metropolitan Police Department issues concealed carry permits in Washington, D.C. Applicants must schedule an appointment with the MPD, complete the necessary application forms, fulfill the training and registration requirements, and pay required fees.

The District does not offer reciprocity for handgun permits from any state. Just under half of other states recognize a D.C. concealed carry permit.

Magazine capacity limits

Washington, D.C. law limits magazine capacity to no more than 10 rounds.

Other weapons

No weapons other than handguns may be carried concealed.

Permitted non-lethal weapons include:

• Stun guns/tasers
• Pepper spray
• Tear gas
• Bear spray (legal for use against wildlife)
• Less-lethal launchers

Duty to inform

District law requires drivers to notify police of the presence of a concealed weapon during traffic stops or at weigh stations.

Employee parking lots

If the employer has clearly posted signs indicating that the adjacent workplace is a prohibited location, a licensed firearm owner who keeps a weapon in a private vehicle must ensure the weapon is unloaded and that neither the weapon nor any ammunition is readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment.