§ 22–4503.01. Unlawful discharge of a firearm.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on June 9, 2024. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a) Except as otherwise permitted by law, including legitimate self-defense, no firearm shall be discharged or set off in the District of Columbia without a special written permit from the Chief of Police issued pursuant to Section 1 of Article 9 of the Police Regulations of the District of Columbia, effective September 29, 1964 (C.O. 64-1397F; 24 DCMR § 2300.1 ) [CDCR 24-2300.1].

(b) A person who violates this section shall upon conviction be fined no more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, or incarcerated for no more than 2 years, or both.

(July 8, 1932, 47 Stat. 651, ch. 465, § 3a; as added May 20, 2009, D.C. Law 17-388, § 2(b), 56 DCR 1162; Mar. 11, 2024, D.C. Act 25-410, § 24(c), 71 DCR 2693.)

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 24(c) of Secure DC Omnibus Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-410, Mar. 11, 2024, 71 DCR 2693).

Editor's Notes

Section 3 of D.C. Law 17-388 provided:

“Sec. 3. Savings clause. Nothing in section 2 shall affect any action, proceeding, or prosecution commenced before September 16, 2008. Any such action, proceeding, or prosecution shall continue, or may be enforced, in the same manner and to the same extent as if the amendments made by that section had not been made.”