The District of Columbia generally prohibits the possession or carrying outside any building of an air rifle, air gun, air pistol, B-B gun or any similar type gun.¹ A person may use an air rifle, air gun, air pistol or B-B gun if such use is supervised by a person age 18 or older, for:

• A theatrical performance or athletic contest;
• Use at a licensed shooting gallery; or
• Use at other locations where the use of such guns is authorized by the Chief of Police.²

Persons age 18 or older may transport an air rifle, air gun, air pistol or B-B gun within the District if unloaded and securely wrapped.³

The District also prohibits the sale or other transfer to any person under age 18 of an air rifle, air gun, air pistol, B-B gun or a similar type of gun, or ammunition for such weapons.⁴ These transfers are lawful if supervised by a person age 18 or older for:

• A theatrical performance or athletic contest;
• Use at a licensed shooting gallery; or
• Transfer at other locations where the use of the item is authorized by the Chief.⁵

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1. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.3.[↩]
2. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.5.[↩]
3. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2301.4.[↩]
4. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2302.1.[↩]
5. D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2302.3.[↩]