The Trump Administration has initiated a federal effort to address public safety concerns in Washington, DC, which includes streamlining the process for residents to obtain concealed carry permits and register firearms.
According to a recent report, the time required for both processes has been significantly reduced—from several months to just a few days—through the work of the “Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” created by executive order in March. The initiative aims to improve public safety and revitalize the capital.
Fox News reports that the task force has worked alongside local officials to simplify the existing permitting and registration systems, without altering local gun laws. Applicants can now schedule next-day appointments with the Metropolitan Police Department, and walk-in services have been made more accessible and advertised on the department’s website.
“President Trump is not only stopping violent crime in Washington, D.C., he is also streamlining the permitting process for law-abiding residents who want the ability to protect themselves and their families,” said White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers. She noted that the average permit processing time has been cut from several months to just five days.
Previously, the process for firearm registration could take up to four months, according to officials.
In addition to changes in the permitting process, President Trump announced Monday that his administration is taking federal control of Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department and deploying National Guard troops in response to what he described as a public safety emergency. The administration is also pushing Congress to reform laws related to cash bail and other policies they believe contribute to rising crime rates in major cities.
“This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump said in a statement.
Federal authorities have also begun enforcing the March executive order by clearing homeless encampments across the city, as part of broader efforts to improve urban conditions and reduce crime.
The action follows several high-profile incidents of violence, including the recent attack on a Department of Government Employees (DOGE) worker. Officials cited the incident as one of the contributing factors in the decision to escalate federal involvement in the capital’s public safety operations.
