Is Short Barrel Rifle Legal in District of Columbia? (2026)

Key facts

Status

Prohibited

Permit required

No

Jurisdiction

District of Columbia

Last reviewed

2026-04-09

Short Barrel Rifle laws in District of Columbia

D.C. Code §7-2502.02(a)(3) states that a registration certificate shall not be issued for a short-barreled rifle. Under §7-2501.01(17), that category includes a rifle having any barrel less than 16 inches long, or a firearm made from a rifle that, as modified, has an overall length less than 26 inches or any barrel less than 16 inches. An actual firearm's design, modification and dimensions matter; a product label alone is not a classification decision. Section 7-2502.02(c)(1)'s self-manufactured-firearm registration provision requires the firearm not to be prohibited under subsection (a)(1) through (4) or (6) through (8), among its other conditions. It therefore does not remove the cited subsection (a)(3) restriction merely because a firearm is self-manufactured. This explanation concerns the cited District registration rule and definition. It does not independently certify every possession, import, purchase, manufacturing, transport or federal requirement, an individual firearm's classification, or retained legal-status/permit fields.

Frequently asked questions

Is short barrel rifle legal in District of Columbia for travelers?

For travelers visiting District of Columbia, short barrel rifle is currently prohibited. D.C. Code §7-2502.02(a)(3) states that a registration certificate shall not be issued for a short-barreled rifle. Under §7-2501.01(17), that category includes a rifle having any barrel less than 16 inches long, or a firearm made from a rifle that, as modified, has an overall length less than 26 inches or any barrel less than 16 inches. An actual firearm's design, modification and dimensions matter; a product label alone is not a classification decision. Section 7-2502.02(c)(1)'s self-manufactured-firearm registration provision requires the firearm not to be prohibited under subsection (a)(1) through (4) or (6) through (8), among its other conditions. It therefore does not remove the cited subsection (a)(3) restriction merely because a firearm is self-manufactured. This explanation concerns the cited District registration rule and definition. It does not independently certify every possession, import, purchase, manufacturing, transport or federal requirement, an individual firearm's classification, or retained legal-status/permit fields.

Do I need a permit for short barrel rifle in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia does not specifically require a permit for short barrel rifle, though general regulations apply.

Can I transport short barrel rifle through District of Columbia?

Transport laws for short barrel rifle in District of Columbia depend on the specific item and your route. Since this is prohibited in District of Columbia, transporting through the state carries legal risk. Always check states you pass through.

What are the penalties for short barrel rifle violations in District of Columbia?

Penalties for short barrel rifle violations in District of Columbia vary based on the specific offense. Always verify current laws before traveling.