§5104 Unlawful Activities

Summary

People may not block, damage, sell things, or cause trouble on the Capitol Grounds or inside Capitol Buildings. You may not occupy roads in the Capitol Grounds in ways that stop their normal use, or use the roads south of Constitution Avenue and B Street and north of Independence Avenue and B Street to carry goods, except to or from the United States Capitol for Federal Government service. You may not offer items for sale, display signs or ads, or ask for money or donations there. You must not climb on, remove, or damage statues, seats, walls, fountains, plants, or turf. Firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, and incendiary devices are not allowed on the Grounds or in Capitol Buildings unless the Capitol Police Board’s rules say otherwise; you may not fire or explode them or carry them there. You may not use force or violence to enter or stay on the floor of either House. You may not knowingly and willfully enter or stay in restricted rooms, galleries, or areas, disrupt official business, use loud or threatening language to disturb hearings or sessions, block passage, commit acts of physical violence, or parade, demonstrate, or picket inside the buildings. Parades, assemblies, and displaying flags, banners, or devices meant to publicize a party, group, or movement are banned on the Grounds except as allowed under section 5106. Definitions: act of physical violence — a threat or attack on a person or damage to property; dangerous weapon — items listed in earlier law plus things that shoot projectiles, daggers, dirks, stilettos, and knives with blades over 3 inches; explosives — as defined in 18 U.S.C. 841(d); firearm — as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(3). Members of Congress and certain congressional employees doing official duties are exempt from these rules.