We are heading to Washington DC and I am looking for information on what not to carry when down there and acceptable alternatives. I have never been there and do not know what is allowed in the museums and other federal attractions. My EDC is pretty typical compared to what most people carry on this board. All reccomendations are appreciated. Thanks for all of the great information on this site.

Short Answer:
Any thing you are caring that will make you less vulnerable to the criminal element will probably make you illegal as well.
Exceptions:
In places like that I carry a walking cane (hasn?t your knee been bothering you lately?) Do a search to get the latest information but most stuff I would want with me would not be OK with the KGB of DC
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Click me.

We go to DC LOTS AND LOTS and if you want to carry a pocket knife and pepper spray, that's OK on your person. They never checked US just our BAGS.

Backpacks are looked at (inspection is too strong a word) in most museums, not really sure what they are looking for, bombs I guess. I've lugges all sorts of stuff through the museums without a second glance.

Big thing about DC is that's its one of the key CBRN & vehicle bomb targets in the USA. While CBRN is, for the most part, a death sentence, vehicle bombs have a degree of survivability, if the initial blast does not get you.

Fox 40's and a keychain light for everyone, as well as some water, is your total PSK for that situation. They have extensive USAR capabilities in DC - if you survive, they will find you.

Don't even think about carrying guns or ammo, both are totally banned, which is why there's no violent crime at all in Washington DC.

FWIW - In DC A semi-Auto capable of carrying more than 12 rounds is a "machine gun"

Funny, very funny.... <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Sue

How very warm and friendly of them.

I think DC needs to brush up on their definitions.

Take the BAR, for instance. Now THAT's a machine gun. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Since I live very close to D.C., I hope that I can be of help.

When you go into the museums and any of the buildings on the Mall, they will make you walk through a metal detector and search through your bags. Some buildings have the X-ray machines. You need to plan accordingly, basically like you're getting on a plane. No sharps or pepper spray (unless you want to take a chance, but I wouldn't recommend it in that part of town).

Always carry water and snacks (especially if you'll be bringing kids with you). Since you'll be doing a lot of walking, you'll probably get hungry and thirsty often. Your backpack will really help with that, and you'll save money from the expensive local vendors.

Small bills and coins are really helpful for the Metro.

I hope you enjoy it here! The Kite Festival is pretty soon, I don't know if you'll be here for that, but it's loads of fun. And the new Mammals hall in the Natural History Museum is great.

I can tell you from directm first-hand personal experience in many museums in DC that I can, have and continue to carry a Leatherman Wave, a small can of Pepper spray and a few other items on my person. I have made no effort to conceal these items, I have had no problems carrying these items in and about DC.

It is NOT like "getting on a plane" at all. They are looking for bombs, that's all.

Really? Well, that is comforting for me, to say the least. Now I know the next time I go to the Mall I can afford to be a bit more prepared.

The last time I went I was accompanying several young students on a field trip, and left all of my sharps and things on the bus. I didn't want to have ANY problems holding up our trip and lose kids who wander away from the group the moment they see their teacher being distracted.

Plus, a few years ago I temped in a building near the Mall that went the whole nine yards: metal detector, x-ray machines, etc. Since I was only a temp I didn't want to risk ticking off anyone, so I didn't carry my knife while I worked there. As I understand it, that building later had one of the anthrax incidents that terrorized D.C.

It has been hard for me to know what security measures are in which buildings in D.C., and what they'll allow or let slide.

I guess my SwissChamp, my Midnite MiniChamp II (small but mighty), my SureFire E1e and E2e, and my Inova X5 and XO3, all carried on my person, would be alright then.

I like Washington, DC. I LOVE the museums and would be happy to pump a few bucks into the local economy, but I admit I have been avoiding it of late.

-- Craig