{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-4503.03","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 22-4503.03","heading":"Endangerment with a firearm.","body":"(a)\nA person commits endangerment with a firearm when the person:\n(1)\nKnowingly discharges a projectile from a firearm outside a licensed firing range; and\n(2)\nEither:\n(A)\nThe person knows that the discharged projectile creates a substantial risk of death or bodily injury to another person; or\n(B)\nIn fact:\n(i)\nThe person is in, or the discharged projectile travels through or stops in, a location that is:\n(I)\nOpen to the general public at the time of the offense;\n(II)\nA communal area of multi-unit housing; or\n(III)\nInside a public conveyance or a rail station; and\n(ii)\nThe person does not have permission to discharge a projectile from a firearm under:\n(I)\nA written permit issued by the Metropolitan Police Department; or\n(II)\nOther District or federal law.\n\n(b)\nExcept as provided in subsection (c) of this section, whoever 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 5 years, or both.\n\n(c)\nWhoever 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 10 years, or both, if:\n(1)\nThe violation of this section occurs after a person has been convicted of a felony, either in the District of Columbia or another jurisdiction; or\n(2)\nFive or more projectiles are discharged from a firearm within a single course of conduct.\n\n(d)\nWhen arising from the same act or course of conduct, a conviction for an offense under this section shall merge with a conviction:\n(1)\nUnder § 22-4503.01; or\n(2)\nFor another offense outside of this chapter that has, as an element in the offense definition or in the applicable penalty enhancement, possessing or having readily available a firearm, imitation firearm, or dangerous weapon.\n\n(e)\nNo mental state shall be required as to any element under subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section.\n\n(f)\nIt shall be a defense to liability under this section that the person discharged a firearm under circumstances constituting lawful self-defense or defense of others.","path":["Title 22. Criminal Offenses and Penalties.","Chapter 45. Weapons and Possession of Weapons."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-4503.03","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"0798d9e563a131847c7b7bdf5b58a432e7c818b954c92cda20d34002a0416ae9","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-4503.02","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-4503.04"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}