CCW in the Washington DC area

[white cloud]

Thanks for reading this post. I will be traveling to Washington DC in a week. I will mostly be in the Georgetown University area. What are the laws for CCW like in that area? I suspect this is probably not a go, but wanted to be sure. I have a South Carolina CWP.

 

[cowboy4evr]

They don't honor anyone else's permit it looks like to me . I just checked it out .

 

[GeoJelly]

Greetings from NoVa sir - as long as South Carolina has reciprocity with Virginia - then you should be fine ... but only in Virginia. I'm not 100% certain, but I'm 99% sure you cannot take a handgun into DC itself. That's a little tricky since Reagan Airport is considered part of DC - hopefully you are flying into Dulles. Virginia CC rules are typical - no public/gov't buildings, schools or churches. I don't drink so I'm not sure about alcohol - so I would refrain from carrying into a lounge or bar. Since you are out of state, if you are stopped, I would notify up front. I assume you've already been to HandgunLaw.us - but here is the PDF just in case:

http://handgunlaw.us/states/virginia.pdf

HandgunLaw.us says Virginia honors all other states - but it's just a website - you may want to do some additional research as the other poster commented that VA does not honor other states. His statement was true for several months last year - but I believe that has changed. Probably my most important comment: do not even think about driving one inch into Maryland with a handgun. They scan plates for CC holders from other states and will stop you - one confirmed case last year for a person from Florida.

 

[eb07]

DC is as communist and anti 2A as you can get.... oh the irony

 

[white cloud]

I checked with the wife. We will be staying in DC. I guess this is a no go.

So let me make sure I understand the situation in Maryland. Suppose I drive through that state in my truck with SC license plates. I have my pistol. I have no intention to stop in Maryland for diesel or food or whatever. You are telling me that I can be pulled over by the state police and found to be in violation of Maryland law?

The gun laws in SC are really well thought out IMHO.

 

[silversnake]

I wouldn't bring anything into DC or MD unless you are covered under LEOSA or similar.

Reagan National Airport is in Virginia though so no problem there.

 

[bigwheelzip]

So let me make sure I understand the situation in Maryland.

I'm another CCer from SC who frequently travels to the northeast, and the Maryland border is the "Iron Curtain" for me. If I'm crossing the Maryland border, I leave the "Iron" home.

You can legally carry to within 1/4 mile of Georgetown, on the Virginia side of the Key Bridge. If your driving up, there is no need to transit Maryland, to get to Georgetown.

 

[white cloud]

I see. I didn't realize it was that bad up there.

It makes me sad that all these liberal Yankees are moving down here. Soon we will have laws like those states.

Thanks to all for replying.

 

[GeoJelly]

I didn't mean to sound like I am anti-Virginia - not at all. If you come up here without a firearm, no problem at all if you are cautious and maintain your situational awareness IMO. Needless to say, stay away from Walmarts, stop and robs and unlit parking lots. Old Town Alexandria is very nice, I have been down there many times and have had zero problems - lotsa great places to eat.

 

[richardw]

VA honors every state licenses except Vermont. MD Does not honor any states license except it's own. D.C. Does not honor any state license and does not issue licenenes to anyone.

 

[white cloud]

Thanks to all for your replies. I will leave my revolver at home. My nephew is graduating from law school in Georgetown. I plan to enjoy my visit there but I dislike being anywhere I can't carry. I guess I am paranoid.

However, I had an "issue" about four years ago in a grocery store parking lot. I experienced another "issue" last year in a bank lobby. I did not need to deploy my revolver in either situation but I found it's presence extremely comforting. During the bank "issue", I got to see some bank employees looking and acting very uncomfortable until law enforcement showed up. Evidently the drive up tellers were trained to look for trouble headed their way from the parking lot. I was amazed at how fast they could lock the place down.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Unless you fall under LEOSA better leave the gun at home. If you do, get your paperwork, and qualification in order before you go.

 

[BigDog48]

I checked with the wife. We will be staying in DC. I guess this is a no go.

So let me make sure I understand the situation in Maryland. Suppose I drive through that state in my truck with SC license plates. I have my pistol. I have no intention to stop in Maryland for diesel or food or whatever. You are telling me that I can be pulled over by the state police and found to be in violation of Maryland law?

The gun laws in SC are really well thought out IMHO.

yes unless it is locked separate from the ammo and both are inaccessible to the occupants. If you spend the night in MD you are considered a resident, and therefore subject to the more onerous gun laws they have. They're among the strictest anti gun states. I moved from there to NC

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The gun laws in SC are really well thought out IMHO.

Same in DC. Both governments achieved what they intended to achieve.

 

[OKFC05]

Same in DC. Both governments achieved what they intended to achieve.

Yes, DC, MD, NJ, and NY managed to neutralize the Federal FOPA. FOPA says you can transport your firearm on a continuous journey through any state, but these say, well, when we pull you over, you've stopped, so FOPA does not apply and our state laws say you can't have your gun with you. And the FEDERAL 4TH CIRCUIT COURT HAS RULED IN THEIR FAVOR AGAINST FEDERAL LAW. The 4th circuit also ruled that MD can ban any firearm that has a military purpose, or looks like one that does.

 

[W.E.G.]

Don't leave any articles in plain sight in your parked car in DC.
Even in the daytime.
Even if its a $5 pair of chinese sunglasses.

Anything at all will be classified as a "prohibited weapon" if the investigating officer feels you used it for an "unlawful" purpose. You will be charged with Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (subsection B) of the DC Code. For instance, you could be charged with PPW (bottle).
DC Code - SS 22–4514. Possession of certain dangerous weapons prohibited; exceptions.

Use Waze at all times while driving in DC. Otherwise, I can just about GUARANTEE you will earn a $100-minimum photo radar ticket. The camera on K street under Washington Circle (25 mph limit) hands out about EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS worth of tickets each year all by itself. That's before you count the tickets handed out by the other radar cameras and red-light cameras. They are in all the "gotcha" spots and in none of the spots where dangerous speeding is a genuine public hazard.

 

[hostler]

if you are travelling through DC or MD you are covered by federal interstate firearms transportation laws (see U S code 18, 926a) but that's it. Read 926a and adhere strictly to it because DC and MD don't mess around. As long as you meet the requirements of 926a you should be fine.
I live about 5 miles outside of MD and I travel through MD pretty often with a firearm, I just make sure I'm compliant with 926a, same goes for DC. If I'm stopping in either DC or MD I don't go armed, PERIOD.

 

[hostler]

Yes, DC, MD, NJ, and NY managed to neutralize the Federal FOPA. FOPA says you can transport your firearm on a continuous journey through any state, but these say, well, when we pull you over, you've stopped, so FOPA does not apply and our state laws say you can't have your gun with you. And the FEDERAL 4TH CIRCUIT COURT HAS RULED IN THEIR FAVOR AGAINST FEDERAL LAW. The 4th circuit also ruled that MD can ban any firearm that has a military purpose, or looks like one that does.

I disagree with almost all of this ∆∆∆
I would like to see these court rulings.

 

[Colonel]

Don't leave any articles in plain sight in your parked car in DC.
Even in the daytime.
Even if its a $5 pair of chinese sunglasses.

Anything at all will be classified as a "prohibited weapon" if the investigating officer feels you used it for an "unlawful" purpose. You will be charged with Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (subsection B) of the DC Code. For instance, you could be charged with PPW (bottle).
DC Code - SS 22–4514. Possession of certain dangerous weapons prohibited; exceptions.

Use Waze at all times while driving in DC. Otherwise, I can just about GUARANTEE you will earn a $100-minimum photo radar ticket. The camera on K street under Washington Circle (25 mph limit) hands out about EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS worth of tickets each year all by itself. That's before you count the tickets handed out by the other radar cameras and red-light cameras. They are in all the "gotcha" spots and in none of the spots where dangerous speeding is a genuine public hazard.

Sounds like NO ONE should ever go to DC. I know I will not be visiting DC anytime soon.

 

[adwjc]

I see. I didn't realize it was that bad up there.

It makes me sad that all these liberal Yankees are moving down here. Soon we will have laws like those states.

Thanks to all for replying.

Sorry to disillusion you friend, we are trying to get rid of as many of them as we can, but as far as I know, none are going to Maryland or DC, it got the way it is with your own folks, you know, from south of the Mason Dixon line.