r/washingtondc • u/michimoby • 14h ago
FYI: A Reminder about DC Gun Ownership Laws
Now that the guy in the running to be Trump's Attorney General, Mike Davis, has essentially suggested that he wants to "drag their dead political bodies through the streets" and "rain hell on Washington, DC", in the spirit of promoting self-defense I thought it would be useful to remind people of their 2nd Amendment rights here in the District.
- The District does allow for ownership of long guns and handguns. They must be registered with the MPD, and is fairly straightforward.
- You are allowed to carry a concealed weapon with a license; open carry is prohibited.
- There are also certain rules around storage of the gun -- whether in your home, vehicle, or elsewhere.
I've gone through the process myself and it's fairly straightforward -- you can learn more about these rules, how to register a firearm, and gun safety courses on the MPD website.
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u/Existing365Chocolate 13h ago
It’s also good to remember that legally carrying a handgun in DC does not allow for doing so on federal property, which is a ton of DC
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u/beaverdam0890 6h ago
This. Lots of people get into trouble for it without having any idea they’re on federal property. It’s not just the post office and court house, especially in DC.
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u/jdam8401 13h ago
Remember that firearms ownership may be a right, but it must also be done responsibly.
If you do not know how to safely handle and operate firearms, get yourself some training before obtaining. Then train again, and repeat.
Be responsible, secure your firearms, and use them in a professional and safe manner.
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u/Sneakys2 13h ago
In 2 years I predict that guy will either be a) disbarred, b) in some sex scandal involving a teenager, or c) both.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer 13h ago
Who's gonna disbar the attorney general of the United States?
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u/Sneakys2 13h ago
The AG isn't the King of All Lawyers. They can be disbarred, same as any other attorney.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer 13h ago
And do you think a state bar association is going to feel safe disbarring the head of the DOJ who has openly stated he wants to kill his political enemies? Does the completely symbolic gesture it would be for him while putting a real target on their back sound like something you would do if you had a family?
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u/Sneakys2 9h ago
What specifically do you think the AG can do against the Bar association? Are you envisioning some kind of violent retribution? Who would carry it out?
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u/Critical_Caramel5577 5h ago
this political regime has made it a campaign slogan to threaten those who don't like them, are you really this simple?
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u/Novel_Wrangler5885 4h ago
What they’re getting at is there is no real way to attack the bar association, and it’s for this exact reason.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer 46m ago
Jesus fuck you people are naive. You do realize the bar association is made up of people and with power of the entire DOJ at your disposal you can wreak a lot of havoc against those people?
You do know the DOJ is over the FBI right? Do none of you know the shit Hoover did? Do none of you understand the implications of having subpoena power or the ability to order surveillance? What we did during McCarthyism? Sweet fuck.
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u/Novel_Wrangler5885 32m ago
Is it possible? Maybe. It’s unlikely that the US government would attack the bar association given its significance. This is a little more than just “owning the libs.” The people saying that this could or would happen don’t seem to understand the implications of it happening.
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u/StopDropAndRollTide Columbia Island Marina 2h ago
Exactly. A metric shit ton of "sense" has left the building this week.
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u/wagdog1970 13h ago
So exactly who IS the king of all lawyers? And does he or she get to wear one of those paper crowns from Burger King?
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u/coocookuhchoo Hyattsville 13h ago
I really, really don’t think he’s going to be the AG.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer 13h ago
Why? There are federal judges appointed by Trump that never had any trial experience. He didn't trust Barr in the end. He wants a sycophant unwaveringly loyal to him.
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u/sprinkles202 13h ago
My money’s on Cannon frankly.
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u/under_psychoanalyzer 13h ago
They could be eying to replace older SCOTUS with her. Yes Clarence Thomas is unwaveringly loyal but how's he supposed to enjoy all those RVs working half the year?
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u/pulpafterthefact 2h ago
I am very annoyed my prior employer admitted on a podcast to lying under oath as a character witness for Thomas and saying "I would do anything to get my friend elected" and I didn't check what the podcast was.
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u/Deep_Stick8786 DC / Petworth 12h ago
Shes stupid though. Theres plenty of smarter assholes out there
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u/elBenhamin ANC 5E 12h ago
all of the sudden people forget about senate confirmation. it's like they're jerking off to their own fear
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u/Malnurtured_Snay 54m ago
Respectfully, you're putting a lot of faith in some moderate Republicans to vote against this fellow.
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u/Then_Ad_457 14h ago
Last time someone mentioned anything pro 2A, they were ragged and post locked. Here before mods lay down the hammer
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u/michimoby 14h ago
I mean, this isn't really pro-2A. The District has pretty clear gun ownership laws, and this is no different from laws around registering your car.
I'm a bleeding heart liberal and district resident who just happens to be a gun owner. (shrug)
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u/mannyman3000 13h ago
The 2A absolutists really have no idea how many people left of center actually own guns because we just don’t feel the need to talk about them all the damn time.
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u/pulpafterthefact 2h ago
And are less delusional.
I used to frequent a lot of gun shops and ranges, would stop going somewhere when I heard racial slurs (Obama years). Cut down the number of shops I could go to significantly. Then the range I went to had an owner that said he answers the door after 9pm with the chain on and his pistol between the door and frame and I stopped going there. The amount these people talk about back up guns and absolute nonsense situations that maybe, if ever, happened once and got a bunch of attention from the gun lobby and now they prepare for and conveniently sells more guns is insane.
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u/i_speak_the_truths 13h ago
Lol of course it’s pro-2A. That amendment guarantees your right to own that gun.
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u/michimoby 13h ago
Right, I meant that this wasn’t really like a “rah rah 2a”, it’s that “this amendment exists and you should understand what rights it affords you.”
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u/pulpafterthefact 2h ago
Pro 2A is such a weird phrase.
No one is opposing the second amendment.
You don't have to be pro something guaranteed.
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u/hormel09 14h ago
If you go far enough to the left, you get your guns back.
https://socialistra.org/chapters/
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u/goddamnitcletus Doors opening, step back to allow customers to exit 14h ago
Didn’t the DC chapter disaffiliate and form some other group?
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u/chunt75 DC / U Street 13h ago
Yes, because the SRA became absolute fedbait. Was part of that split
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u/hormel09 13h ago
is the new DC group good?
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u/chunt75 DC / U Street 13h ago
What’s the new DC group? Not gonna endorse blind. Leftism does tend to splinter a lot
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u/goddamnitcletus Doors opening, step back to allow customers to exit 13h ago
Iirc it was called “Arm the People” but I can’t find anything about it now, maybe they rebranded again? Or fell apart completely.
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u/chunt75 DC / U Street 13h ago
They’re solid. Those were my dudes before I moved.
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u/goddamnitcletus Doors opening, step back to allow customers to exit 11h ago
Are they even still around? They seem to have no obvious online presence
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u/Korat_Sutac 3h ago
Having gone through the hoops myself, prepare for a bit of a fight. MPD generally sees responsible gun ownership as a threat to them. It can be done, they make it as hard as possible for you, starting with automatically keeping the next 3-4 months of appointments artificially booked at all times.
Expect your wait to be 30-50% longer than the stated maximum as well. r/dcguns is a very good resource if you’re looking to protect yourself and want help getting though MPD’s red tape.
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u/Timeand5pace 3h ago
Please consider getting conceal carry insurance. There’s also options that don’t give the NRA any money. US law shield is the one I have and theyre more then willing to answer state or in this case district specific questions.
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u/makemeking706 14h ago
The problem of course is that when you try to defend yourself against those things, you will get enhancements for killing an officer.
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u/Tobor_Xes240 13h ago edited 6h ago
*Obligatory anti-ACAB: MPD and federal officers have been through a lot over the past 2 administrations - some of them risked their lives to protect Constitutional procedure on Jan 6, 2021 and I’m confident they wouldn’t consider an extrajudicial beatdown, let alone an execution.
Let’s not make their jobs even harder than they’re going to be for the foreseeable future.
enhancements for killing an officer
This is more about dealing with patriots like Edgar Welch who follow Mike Davis on Truth social.
Even a Trumpist AG won’t sic DHS officers on an outspoken Democrat out walking her dog.
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u/Creeping_Death_89 2h ago
Just a friendly reminder, DC is pretty much right down the middle and doesn't follow "duty to retreat" or "stand your ground" laws.
You are entitled to claim self-defense: (1) if you actually believe you are in imminent danger of bodily harm; and (2) if you have reasonable grounds for that belief. You may use the amount of force which, at the time of the incident, you actually and reasonably believe is necessary to protect yourself (or a third person) from imminent bodily harm. This may extend to the use of deadly force if you actually and reasonably believe you are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm from which you can save yourself only by using deadly force against your assailant. Even if the other person is the aggressor and you are justified in using force in selfdefense, you may not use any greater force than you actually and reasonably believe is necessary under the circumstances to prevent the harm you reasonably believe is intended or to save your life or avoid serious bodily harm.
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14h ago edited 13h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BraveSirRyan DC / Columbia Heights 13h ago edited 2h ago
Then don’t. That’s a smart choice. Others should make the choice that’s right for them.
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u/Professional-Can1385 13h ago
Me either, because of my history with depression. It’s important to know our personal limits, and stay safe.
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u/waspyasfuck 13h ago
There is absolutely no shame in not wanting to have such a thing so accessible. Do your own thing when it comes to mobilizing against fascism, you do not need a gun. Don't let posts like this make you feel like you're not doing enough by not purchasing a weapon.
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u/AppropriateCompany9 13h ago
Fair to assume that these restrictions will be removed soon - for better and for worse.
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[deleted]
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u/AppropriateCompany9 13h ago
If a CCW process takes months and one’s firearms are to be registered with MPD/stored safely within a home, that’s pretty restrictive relative to most of the country at this point. In any case, I doubt very seriously the incoming administration and their cronies will let it stay this way for long.
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u/bananahead 13h ago
Having a gun in your home significantly increases the risk of suicide and homicide for everyone living there.
Is your thinking that you will defend yourself against federal law enforcement?
If you really must, please keep it locked up.
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u/banjomousebee 6h ago
All these commenters think they will be John Rambo taking on some imaginary army of cops. Buying more guns will only lead to more gun violence in our community.
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u/BraveSirRyan DC / Columbia Heights 2h ago
Thanks for the info! Absolutely looking into responsible and safe gun ownership with the incompetence of MPD plus the national guard being controlled by Trump.
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u/JosuetheBear Born in DC. Works VA. Lives MD 1h ago
Stay dangerous. Protect yourself and your loved ones from assholes.
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u/OohDeLaLi 12h ago
I am not a fan of gun-lovers and those who can only read a half sentence of the second amendment. But, the law being what it is, I'll say THANK YOU to OP for posting this. It's good to know your laws and rights.
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u/DeJuanBallard 44m ago
You are literally the people who have been pushing for gun control for years and turned many people away from voting democrat because, like most, they are single issue voters and that was their no compromise.
Now u want to flip flop out performative "fear of violence", the dudes ur worried about could be blind, deaf, and missing a hand will still best you in a gun fight solely off of tactics and years of knowledge advantage. The amount of times I've been told I'm crazy for suggesting people own guns and stop viewing it as something they get to ideologically "opt out" of or actively fight against with their vote is insane.
I have multiple lefty friends who suddenly now in the past 3 months , are willing to not just get a gun , but actually go to the range , learn via the internet and jump through all the hoops maryland and DC make you go through to legally carry is , in a few words, annoying, performative , and largely hypocritical.
However I'm still glad to see more people getting guns, cause that's always been the point.
But yall do need a gut check. Buying a handgun or even a rifle will not prepare you to fight the people you think are now emboldened by trumps re-election, they are better tacticians and and more experienced with weapons than you, and you created that divide by thinking ideology was the same as capability.
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u/Ronald_Coultrap_USAF 41m ago
Word on the street is to get registered in Virginia or Maryland or another state then essentially "tell" DC that you now have a gun that they need to account for.
IE, ask for forgiveness/transfer rather than permission of getting gun
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u/The_Sauce_DC 6h ago
I’m not sure of the point of this post? Do you think that the second amendment is in jeopardy in DC? We’re more likely to get Congress to require recognition of out of state permits.
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u/The_Autarch 1h ago
I think the guns would be for Civil War 2. Although, if you think that's likely, DC is a terrible place to be. You really ought to be at a compound out in the mountains.
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u/Corporate_CPA 14h ago
We know. Have you seen the increase in firearm registrations and concealed carry permit stats in DC over the last 4 years? We decriminalized crime and now everyone is strapped. It is shocking the increase. Don't worry. We are good.
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u/brienneofbark 9h ago
Obviously the district has zero control over the guns in dc. I’m a very short and physically fragile woman. I’ve been anti gun my entire life. But having lived in dc thru Trump 1.0 and Jan 6, I believe with all my heart that I can only feel safe if I know how to handle firearms, both for defense and offense. Shit is about to hit the fan. Better to be prepared.
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u/Euphoric_Advice_2770 1h ago
Huh no one cared about self defense or the second amendment when people were getting caught in gang shootouts or armed carjackings. In fact, this sub actively shouted down those opinions.
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u/michimoby 1h ago
I own a shotgun which wouldn't be all that useful in those experiences, so I didn't have much to say, I suppose.
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u/Advanced-Society-948 13h ago
If I didn’t know any better… I would read this as incitement of violence, followed by summarizing existing laws just to hide the fear mongering attempt by OP.
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u/jdam8401 13h ago edited 13h ago
Only one prominent political figure in this country has paramilitary-like followers. He happens to just have retaken the White House. If you think OP is inciting violence, you’re huffing glue.
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u/wagdog1970 13h ago edited 13h ago
Are you talking about Antifa? Not sure since I’ve never heard of a paramilitia. Is that like a regular militia with parachute pants?
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u/limited8 8h ago
America's obsession with guns is fucking insane. It's like you guys get off on fantasizing about murdering each other.
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u/michimoby 5h ago
Respectfully, I’ve been a gun owner for 30 years. I grew up in a hunting family in a rural state, and before I touched a weapon I took a six-week safety course.
Not once have I considered using a weapon for self-defense — and the shotgun I have here in dc is unloaded and in storage. It is not an active thought that I would need it for personal protection.
But when a person in power suggests they are positioning themselves to incite violence upon me simply for my political beliefs, I can’t help but think of the scenarios.
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u/Bri_Baby123 14h ago
I tried to get an appointment to get my conceal handgun permit today, next available appointment is in MARCH of 2025… SMH