Is a Arkansas Non-Resident Permit Valid in District of Columbia?

Why

• Arkansas does not issue carry permits to non-residents (requires arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty us armed forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement).

No state's permit is valid in the District. An out-of-state license holder must obtain a DC Concealed Carry Pistol License - out-of-state licensure is a pathway to apply (22-4506), not a right to carry.

Carry rules in District of Columbia

Your Arkansas habits may not match District of Columbia's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• District of Columbia imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. Affirmative duty - on any investigative stop, a licensee (and any accompanying licensee) shall disclose that they are carrying, present the license and registration certificate, identify the pistol's location, and comply with orders including temporary disarmament (D.C. Code 7-2509.04(d)).
• District of Columbia limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• District of Columbia is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit District of Columbia recognizes.
• Licensees must have the license and the pistol's DC registration certificate on their person whenever carrying, including in a vehicle (D.C. Code 7-2509.04(c)); without a DC license, carrying a pistol in a vehicle is prohibited (22-4504).

Off-limits places in District of Columbia

• Buildings or offices occupied by the DC government
• Schools and universities, including adjacent parking (K-12 and higher ed)
• Public transit vehicles and Metrorail stations
• Establishments licensed to serve or sell alcohol for on-premises consumption
• Hospitals, stadiums and arenas, penal institutions
• National Mall memorials, White House area, polling places, and within 1,000 feet of demonstrations or protected officials

Frequently asked questions

Is a Arkansas non-resident permit valid in District of Columbia?

The premise fails at the first step. Arkansas issues no non-resident carry permit (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement), so reciprocity with District of Columbia never comes into play for this permit type.

Do I have to tell police in District of Columbia that I am carrying?

District of Columbia imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. Affirmative duty - on any investigative stop, a licensee (and any accompanying licensee) shall disclose that they are carrying, present the license and registration certificate, identify the pistol's location, and comply with orders including temporary disarmament (D.C. Code 7-2509.04(d)).

Does District of Columbia limit magazine capacity?

District of Columbia limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.

Does Arkansas issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Arkansas issues carry permits to residents only (requires Arkansas residency for 90+ continuous days (§ 5-73-309(2)); exception — active-duty US Armed Forces members and their spouses are exempt from the residency requirement). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.