Wahington D.C is probably one of the safest cities for tourists in the U.S. You will not need your gun going about the business of seeing the stuff on the mall. My better half and I spend quite a bit of time in the city, and I have never had a problem with carrying my sak or a small lockblade like a Gerber LST anywhere. Smithsonian, National Gallery Of Art, monuments. The capital is alittle tight, leave the sak in the car. The only problen you may, just a small chance, is over agressive pan handlers. DO NOT BUY THE MUSEUM MAPS THEY SELL AT THE TOP OF THE METRO EXIT,
This is a scam by the homeless guys who go into the museums and get the free museum maps, then sell them to the dumb tourist comming of the metro esculators for a dollar.
Like was said, there's more cops per yard in D.C. than anywhere else. Even the Holocost museum shooter only got off one shot at the first guard, when he was dropped right there. He didn't even make it a foot before getting shot. The security is good, and your very safe in D.C.
A lot of people from other places think they need a gun, while they don't. D.C. is NOT near as crazy as some people think. Keep in mind, most of the people shot in D.C. are young African American males, between 17 and 25 years old, are shot between 11PM and 3 AM, and are invovled with drugs and/or gangs. So unless you're going to a drug deal on 12th and Irving street, in the wee hours of the morning, you can get by in your visit with a sak and a sturdy walking stick. Almost anywhere in D.C. is safe by day, and even early evening hours till about 10 or 11. In northeast D.C. is the Fransican Monistary with 44 acres of incredable landscaped gardens, and the monistary itself is open for tours. The Botanical gardens near the capital are worth a visit.
If you're doing the mall and museum thing, there's a good eatery in the bottom of the Natinal Gallery Of Art that's good, and has a wide variety of food. There's also a food court in the botton Union Station that has everything from Nathan's Coney Island hot dogs to Thai stir fry. If you like Chinese, you have to visit China town. Any resuruant, won't matter, it's all good there. For the best BBQ try a little hole in the wall joint on Wisconson ave. called Rocklands. It's a standup take out joint, but great ribs and brisket.
More important than your weapons, are really good shoes. You're gonna do a lot of walking, and I recomend good athletic shoes with some kind of inserts like Spenco's. Or the gelling things. And water, lots of water. Carry a water bottle, and refill it at any of the water fountains in the museums.
Carry a good small flashlight if you ride the metro. In fact, carry one anyways.
Relax, and don't worry, your going to have a great time. I was born and raised in that city, and I don't know anyone in the last 50 years among my friends or family that has been robbed, shot, stabbed, or other wise come to any harm in D.C. And I have family that has worked in D.C for many years, and we go downtown about every other weekend. Lots to see and do.
