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119-hr-8297119th Congress

District of Columbia Firearm Freedom Act

Sponsored By: Representative Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

Introduced

Summary

Eliminates District of Columbia requirements for firearm licenses, permits, and registration. It would also preempt many D.C. feature‑and‑capacity bans, authorize permitless concealed carry for adults, and ease transfers from Virginia and Maryland under federal background‑check rules.

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  • District residents: The bill would remove prior authorization and registration requirements and repeal the District's prohibition on large‑capacity magazines. Federal prohibitions on possession by prohibited persons remain in force.
  • Carry rules for people and private property: People 21 and older who are not federally prohibited would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. without a D.C. license or training requirements. Private property owners could still bar firearms with posted signs and the bill permits optional carry credentials for reciprocity.
  • Commerce, preemption, and enforcement: Virginia and Maryland Federal Firearms Licensees could transfer firearms to D.C. residents if the buyer appears in person and a NICS check or federal alternative is completed. The bill would preempt inconsistent D.C. laws, allow civil suits in federal court, and directs the Attorney General to issue guidance within 60 days.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Permitless concealed carry for adults

If enacted, 60 days after the bill becomes law any person 21 or older who is not barred by Federal law would be able to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. without a District license or permit. The District could still ban concealed carry in listed sensitive places and private owners could bar guns by a posted sign or express notice. The law would not force the District to allow open carry and would allow an optional carry credential for reciprocity, but that credential would not be required to carry in D.C.

Federal lawsuit right over D.C. gun rules

If enacted, 60 days after the bill becomes law anyone harmed by enforcement or threatened enforcement of a District law preempted by this Act would be able to sue in federal court in D.C. A successful plaintiff could seek declaratory and injunctive relief, and could obtain compensatory damages and reasonable attorneys' fees where available.

No D.C. permits or firearm registry

If enacted, 60 days after the bill becomes law the District could not require a license, permit, registration, or other prior authorization to acquire or possess a firearm lawful under Federal law. The District would have to stop taking registration forms on the effective date. Within 180 days after the effective date the District would be required to destroy firearm registration records it holds, except records that are evidence in open criminal prosecutions or that Federal law requires be kept.

Out-of-state dealers can sell to DC

If enacted, 60 days after the bill becomes law a Federal firearms dealer in Maryland or Virginia could sell a firearm to a District resident who appears in person at the dealer's premises, provided the buyer passes the Federal NICS background check (or a lawful Federal alternative) and is not a prohibited person. The sale must be lawful as if the buyer were a resident of the State where the dealer is located, and the Attorney General would have to issue guidance within 60 days to implement these transfers.

D.C. feature and magazine bans removed

If enacted, 60 days after the bill becomes law the District could not ban or restrict firearms simply because they are semiautomatic, accept a detachable magazine, or have appearance features like pistol grips or accessory rails. The Act would also repeal the local ban on large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Any District law that conflicts with these rules would be invalid, but Federal prohibitions (including on NFA items and possession by prohibited persons) would still apply.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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