You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for firearm registration:
- Be 21 years of age or older. (Applicants between the age of 18 and 21 may qualify to register a long gun if they have a notarized statement from their parent or guardian stating that the parent or guardian assumes civil liability for all damages resulting from the applicant’s use of the firearm. This special registration, however, will expire on the applicant’s 21st birthday.)
- Not stand convicted of certain weapons offenses or a felony in this or any other jurisdiction (which includes all crimes punishable by imprisonment for more than one year).
- Not be under indictment for a crime of violence or a weapons offense.
- Within the previous five years, not stand convicted of:
- (A) Any law restricting the use, possession, or sale of any narcotic or dangerous drug;
- (B) Assault or threats under DC Code § 22-404 or § 22-407, or any similar statute in another jurisdiction;
- (C) Two or more violations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in DC or any other jurisdiction;
- (D) An intrafamily offense punishable as a misdemeanor in DC or any other jurisdiction;
- (E) A misdemeanor violation pursuant to DC Code § 7-2507.02, or § 7-2507.06;
- (F) Stalking; or
- (G) A violation of an Extreme Risk Protection Order.
- Within the previous five years, not have been acquitted of any criminal charge by reason of insanity or adjudicated a chronic alcoholic by any court.
- Within the previous five years, not have been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
- Within the previous five years, not have a history of violent behavior.
- Not appear to suffer from a physical defect which would make it unsafe to possess and use a firearm safely and responsibly.
- Not have been adjudicated negligent in any firearm mishap causing death or serious injury to another human being.
- Not otherwise be ineligible to possess a firearm under DC Code § 22-4503.
- Demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of the laws of the District of Columbia pertaining to firearms.
- Not be legally blind.
- Not have been the respondent in an intrafamily proceeding in which a civil protection order or a foreign protection order was issued against the applicant.
- Must have completed the Metropolitan Police Department’s free firearms training and safety class, available here.
- Not be prohibited from possessing or registering a firearm pursuant to DC Code § 7-2502.08.
- Not be the subject of an ex parte or final extreme risk protection order.
Reference: DC Code § 7-2502.03