§5104 Unlawful Activities

Summary

You must not block or misuse the roads and open areas on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. You cannot use the roads south of Constitution Avenue and north of Independence Avenue to move goods unless it is to or from the Capitol on federal government business. Selling things, posting signs or ads, or asking for money or donations on the Grounds is not allowed. You also may not climb on, remove, or damage any statue, seat, wall, fountain, building feature, tree, shrub, plant, or grass there. You must not bring, have ready access to, fire, use, transport, or light firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, or incendiary devices on the Grounds or inside Capitol buildings except when rules from the Capitol Police Board allow it. You may not enter or stay on the floor of either House of Congress with force or violence. You also may not knowingly enter or remain on House floors, nearby cloakrooms or lobbies, galleries, rooms set aside for Congress or the Library of Congress, or disrupt official business with loud, threatening, or disorderly conduct. Blocking passage, using physical violence, and marching, demonstrating, or picketing inside the buildings are forbidden. Members of Congress and their staff, and officers or employees of Congress doing official duties, are allowed to act as required for their jobs. Definitions: “act of physical violence” = harm to a person or to property; “dangerous weapon” = items listed in the July 8, 1932 law plus devices that fire projectiles and certain knives over 3 inches; “explosives” and “firearm” = as defined in 18 U.S.C. §841(d) and §921(3). Finally, except as another rule allows, you may not parade, march, or display banners or flags to promote a party, group, or movement on the Grounds.