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.