Prohibited Items
Capitol visitor policies are designed to keep visitors and staff safe and secure and to preserve the collections, facilities and the historic building and grounds for generations to come.
Before entering the Capitol Visitor Center, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer, and all items that are permitted inside the building are screened by an x-ray device.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Capitol.
Food and drink may not be taken out of the Capitol Visitor Center’s restaurant.
Items Not Allowed in the Capitol Complex
| Prohibited Item | U.S. Capitol & CVC | Galleries | Office Buildings & LOC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Animals (other than service animals) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Aerosol containers | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Bags larger than 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deep | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Balloons | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Battery operated electronic devices | Allowed | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Bicycles | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Ballistic items (i.e. ballistic, body armor, tactical helmets) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Bottles, cans, food/beverage containers (open, empty containers allowed) | Allowed | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear substances | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Chemicals or other damaging liquids | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Creams, lotion, perfumes | Allowed (up to 3.4 oz) | Prohibited | Allowed (up to 3.4 oz) |
| Destructive devices, explosives, or combustible, chemical compounds and mixtures (gasoline, gunpowder, fireworks, flares, Molotov cocktails, or replicas of explosive devices) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Disabling chemicals, (bear spray, tear gas, poisonous chemicals, or gases, or other chemicals designed for self-defense) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Drones/UAS | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Firearms (any weapon that expels a projectile with an explosive) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Food, beverages | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Handcuffs, flex, cuffs, or items that can be used as restraints | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Impact weapons (batons, blackjack, clubs, maces, slungshot, etc.) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Laser pointers | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Mace, pepper spray | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Noise amplification devices (bullhorns and other sound amplifying devices) | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Non-aerosol spray | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Knives, to include sharp tools, pointed objects, or implement, such as a switchblade, dagger, dirk, sword, etc. | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Realistic, replicas of explosives, firearms, or other weapons to include toy weapons | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Sealed envelopes and packages | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Selfie sticks | Allowed (usage is prohibited) | Prohibited | Allowed (usage is prohibited) |
| Signs exceeding the size restriction of 18" wide by 14" high | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Strollers | Allowed | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Structures or supports for any signs and placards | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Tasers, stun guns | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Weapons of any kind or any other items determined by the USCP to be a potential safety hazard | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
List updated July 2025
Exceptions For Medical Needs and Child Care
The U.S. Capitol Police is authorized to make exceptions if a prohibited item is determined to be necessary and required to serve child care, medical or other special needs. If you have questions, please call the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services at 202.224.4048.
House and Senate Galleries
The House and Senate Galleries have additional restrictions. Each Gallery operates a desk where visitors may securely store those prohibited items.
Additional information about Prohibited Items can be found on the U.S. Capitol Police web page of prohibited items.