District of Columbia Gun Laws
2026 Compliance Guide
Washington DC has some of the most restrictive firearm laws in the United States: assault weapons are prohibited; magazines are limited to 10 rounds; suppressors and short-barreled rifles are banned for civilians; all firearms must be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department; and only certified instructors can provide the training required for registration.
📅 Last updatedDistrict of Columbia Firearm Laws at a Glance
The table below summarizes District of Columbia's key firearm regulations for 2026. Each item links to the relevant statute in the section below.
| Assault Weapons Ban | YES — restricted |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | 10 rounds |
| Suppressors (NFA) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Permit Required to Purchase | Yes |
| Background Check on Private Sales | Required |
| Ghost Guns / Unserialized | Prohibited |
Verify a specific firearm in District of Columbia
Run a free compliance check on any firearm. Type the model, scan a barcode, or upload a photo — get the compliance verdict, required modifications, and statute citations in seconds.
Run a Free DC Compliance Check →Assault Weapons Ban in District of Columbia
DC prohibits 'assault weapons' (D.C. Code § 7-2501.01) defined by named-model list and feature test. Pre-ban firearms are not grandfathered — all assault weapons are prohibited in DC.
Practical impact: Standard AR-15 and AK-pattern rifles sold in most states are typically prohibited in District of Columbia. Compliant configurations exist (featureless builds, fixed-magazine variants) but selection is limited. If you are buying a semi-automatic centerfire rifle, run it through the compliance checker before purchase.
Magazine Capacity Limits in District of Columbia
DC limits magazines to 10 rounds (D.C. Code § 7-2506.01). The limit applies to all firearms.
NFA Items: Suppressors, SBRs, and Machine Guns
Suppressors
Suppressors (silencers) are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval. A federal tax stamp does not authorize possession in states where the item is prohibited by state law.
Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)
Short-barreled rifles are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval.
Machine Guns and Other NFA Items
Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are restricted under the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act and require ATF Form 4 approval. District of Columbia separately prohibits civilian machine gun ownership.
Permits and Licensing Requirements
DC requires registration of every firearm with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Registration requires a firearms safety course, fingerprinting, photographs, and a written test. The process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Carry Laws
May-issue concealed carry post-Bruen. Permit requires training, qualifying interview, and 'sensitive places' restrictions are extensive.
Private Sales and Background Checks
DC prohibits private firearm sales. All transfers must occur through a federally licensed dealer with the District itself effectively serving as the only FFL — Charles W. Sykes Jr. operates as DC's sole FFL.
Ghost Guns and Unserialized Firearms
DC prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, or possession of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers.
Federally, ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F (effective August 24, 2022) reclassified most unfinished receiver kits as firearms requiring serialization and FFL transfer. State law in District of Columbia adds additional requirements on top of the federal rule.
Key District of Columbia Firearm Statutes
The following statutes form the legal basis for District of Columbia's firearm regulations. Citations are kept current with the official state code.
- D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 — Assault weapon definition
- D.C. Code § 7-2502.01 — Firearms registration requirement
- D.C. Code § 7-2506.01 — Large-capacity magazine prohibition
- D.C. Code § 22-4504 — Carry restrictions
Frequently Asked Questions: District of Columbia Gun Laws
How do I legally buy a gun in Washington DC?
All DC firearm acquisitions must go through the District's sole licensed FFL (currently Charles W. Sykes Jr.). The buyer must complete a firearms safety course, register the firearm with Metropolitan Police, and pass fingerprinting and a written test. The full process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Are AR-15 rifles legal in DC?
No. AR-15 rifles are prohibited as assault weapons under DC law. There is no compliant configuration for a standard AR-15 in DC.
Are suppressors legal in DC?
No. Civilian ownership of suppressors is prohibited in DC regardless of federal NFA approval.
Check any firearm against District of Columbia law in seconds
Stop guessing whether your purchase is legal. Gun Compliance Check covers all 50 states + DC with statute citations and required modifications. Three free checks per day, no credit card required.
Run a Free Compliance Check →Compare District of Columbia to Other States
District of Columbia's firearm laws differ significantly from neighboring states. View laws for any U.S. state below.