Sponsors (46)
The bill reduces legal uncertainty for federally eligible carriers—including Members of Congress—traveling to D.C. and allows them to carry concealed firearms under defined conditions, at the cost of increasing firearms presence in the capital, creating a special exemption for lawmakers, and imposing verification burdens on local authorities.
Members of Congress and other federally eligible carriers: clarifies that they can lawfully carry concealed firearms in D.C. when they meet federal eligibility and hold a state concealed-carry permit (or entitlement) and show photo ID, reducing uncertainty and potential criminal exposure when traveling between home states and the capital.
Members of Congress: may carry concealed firearms in D.C. under specified conditions, allowing them a means of self-protection while performing official duties or traveling to and from the capital.
Urban residents, visitors, and D.C. communities: permitting concealed carry based on out-of-state permits increases the number of firearms legally present in the capital and may raise public-safety risks and complications for local policing.
Taxpayers and residents: creates a special exemption for Members of Congress that treats them differently than ordinary residents, raising equity concerns and public perceptions of unequal application of safety rules.
D.C. law enforcement and local government: may face added burden to verify Members' eligibility and out-of-state permits during encounters, diverting time and resources to administrative checks.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Exempts qualifying Members of Congress with valid state concealed-carry authorization and photo ID from D.C.'s pistol restriction, effective on enactment.
Official title: To require the District of Columbia to permit Members of Congress who have a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of a State which permits the Member to carry a concealed firearm, or who is otherwise entitled to carry a concealed firearm in the State in which the Member resides, to carry a concealed firearm in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 29, 2025 by Andrew S. Clyde · Last progress July 29, 2025
Allows Members of Congress (Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner) who are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms, who hold a valid concealed-carry license or are otherwise entitled under their state of residence to carry concealed, and who carry valid photo identification, to carry concealed firearms in the District of Columbia despite the District’s pistol restriction. The change takes effect on the date of enactment.