A Washington, DC firearm bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership of a firearm between a seller and a buyer.
Strict firearm regulations apply within the state, including background checks and registration requirements, and the bill of sale can serve as proof of the transaction. However, all firearms must be transferred through a licensed dealer, and private sales are generally subject to regulatory oversight.
State Laws for Selling a Gun in Washington, DC
Minimum Age to Purchase
Applicants must be 21 or older to own a firearm. However, individuals aged 18 to 21 can register a long gun if they provide a notarized statement from a parent or guardian, who assumes civil liability for any damages caused by the applicant’s use of the firearm.
Permit for Purchase
A person can legally keep a firearm in their home or business in Washington, DC, provided it is registered. To register the firearm, they must obtain a firearms registration permit from the Police Department.
Register a Gun
All firearms must be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department. [1]
Open Carry Permit
Open carry is prohibited in Washington, DC.
Concealed Carry Permit
Concealed carry is allowed if you have a valid Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL).
How to Apply
You must be at least 21, possess a registered firearm, and be legally allowed to own a gun in Washington, D.C. to apply for a CCPL. [2]
Follow these steps to apply for a CCPL:
- Step 1 – Complete the Online Firearms Safety Training Course.
- Step 2 – Complete a CCPL Application.
- Step 3 – Attach All Required Documents and Evidence (including a Certificate of Completion from the firearms safety training course).
- Step 4 – Submit the Application (including the attachments to the address indicated on the form).
- Step 5 – Get Photographed and Fingerprinted.
- Step 6 – Pay the Application Fee.
Gun Reciprocity
Washington, DC does not recognize permits from other jurisdictions. [3] [4]
The following states honor Washington, DC’s CCPL:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Restrictions on Firearm Ownership
The following people cannot purchase or own a firearm in Washington, DC: [5]
- Anyone under the age of 21, except for people between 18 and 21, with authorization from a guardian or parent.
- Anyone convicted of a weapons offense or a felony punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
- People who are fugitives from justice.
- Individuals addicted to controlled substances.
- Anyone convicted within the past five years of an intrafamily offense.
- People convicted of selling weapons without a license.
- Anyone subject to a court order that restrains them from harassing, assaulting, stalking, or threatening another person and requires them to relinquish possession of firearms.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
You must register any firearms you may inherit from a relative. Per DC Code § 7-2502.01, all firearm owners must obtain a valid firearm registration permit to own a gun.
