Firearms Are Not Always Prohibited in DC

Drew Fossen

Lifestyle

6th January 2021

Firearms Are Not Always Prohibited in DC

DC does have very strict gun laws (Getty Images).

The Claim

Firearms are always prohibited in Washington, DC.

News posted on

Emerging story

FOX 5 News Photojournalist Jesse Burkett-Hall posted a photo on Twitter of a notice prohibiting all firearms within 1000 feet of the sign. The sign appears to be located near Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC.

In response to these signs and a corresponding news article, one Reddit user claimed that the “possesion of guns is illegal in DC… It’s always been like this. No change whatsoever for the protests… articles pretending the rule has something to do with any protest on either side are just stirring shit.”

This comment has received over one thousand upvotes and many users are agreeing with the comment.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar’s investigation found the claim that firearms are always prohibited in Washington, DC to be false.

Washington, DC does have very strict gun laws. However, you are allowed to concealed carry with a District of Columbia Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL). These are issued to residents and non-residents and require a firearms training course that has been approved by the Metro Police. According to USconcealedcarry.com, some areas are off-limits even with a DC CCPL, including schools, public memorials on the National Mall and along the Tidal Basin and the area around the White House.

According to FOX 5 News in Washington, DC, “police are posting notices prohibiting guns downtown ahead of the pro-Trump rally set for Wednesday.” The sign in the photo is near Freedom Plaza, which is just outside of the White House. These signs appear to be restricting the right to concealed carry during the 4 specified days.

Pro-Trump rallies are expected throughout the week in DC. These rallies coincide with the official congressional vote to certify the Electoral College votes for this year’s presidential election. It is likely that counter-protesters will also attend, possibly leading to clashes between the groups.

DC has planned for these rallies and protests by posting these signs along with other measures such as assistance from unarmed members of the National Guard.