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 ItemU.S. Capitol & CVCGalleriesOffice Buildings & LOC
AmmunitionProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Animals (other than service animals)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Aerosol containersProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Bags larger than 18" wide x 14" high x 8.5" deepProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
BalloonsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Battery operated electronic devicesAllowedProhibitedAllowed
BicyclesProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Ballistic items (i.e. ballistic, body armor, tactical helmets)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Bottles, cans, food/beverage containers (open, empty containers allowed)AllowedProhibitedAllowed
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear substancesProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Chemicals or other damaging liquidsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Creams, lotion, perfumesAllowed (up to 3.4 oz)ProhibitedAllowed (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)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Disabling chemicals, (bear spray, tear gas, poisonous chemicals, or gases, or other chemicals designed for self-defense)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Drones/UASProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Firearms (any weapon that expels a projectile with an explosive)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Food, beveragesProhibitedProhibitedAllowed
Handcuffs, flex, cuffs, or items that can be used as restraintsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Impact weapons (batons, blackjack, clubs, maces, slungshot, etc.)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Laser pointersProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Mace, pepper sprayProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Noise amplification devices (bullhorns and other sound amplifying devices)ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Non-aerosol sprayProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Knives, to include sharp tools, pointed objects, or implement, such as a switchblade, dagger, dirk, sword, etc.ProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Realistic, replicas of explosives, firearms, or other weapons to include toy weaponsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Sealed envelopes and packagesProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Selfie sticksAllowed (usage is prohibited)ProhibitedAllowed (usage is prohibited)
Signs exceeding the size restriction of 18" wide by 14" highProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
StrollersAllowedProhibitedAllowed
Structures or supports for any signs and placardsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Tasers, stun gunsProhibitedProhibitedProhibited
Weapons of any kind or any other items determined by the USCP to be a potential safety hazardProhibitedProhibitedProhibited

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.

Stay in the know
Want the most up-to-date information? Join our mailing list to stay in the know.