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District of Columbia Open Carry Laws (2026)
Restricted: Open carry of a handgun is illegal in DC.
Open carry of a handgun is illegal in DC. Even a DC licensee may not carry a handgun openly or in any way that is not concealed. Except as the law allows, rifles and shotguns may not be carried in DC either. Narrow exceptions exist, such as on-duty military members authorized to carry and concealed carry by qualified law enforcement officers.
Official source: mpdc.dc.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Open Carry in states bordering District of Columbia
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- MarylandRestricted
Open carry is not allowed. A Maryland Wear and Carry Permit lets you carry a handgun only concealed from view, under clothing or in an enclosed case; brief accidental exposure is not a violation. Without a permit, wearing or carrying a handgun openly or concealed is a crime, apart from listed exceptions such as property you own or lease or a business you own or lease.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: mdsp.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
- VirginiaPermitted
Open carry of a handgun is legal without a permit unless a law bars it. …
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: vsp.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
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