Moving To D.C. Bringing Guns...

[Cold Steel]

I assume that I can bring my guns to my new home now that the law's been thrown out.

What's the latest?

Can one use a gun in self defense now?

The knife law is so vague that if you don't have a criminal record and don't let anyone else see it you should be okay. Never consent to any kind of search request by an LEO, but be polite and don't resist.

One of you guys braver than me should call the D.C. police and ask them if you can come down and use the range.

Back when the NRA was in D.C., we used to bring our .22LR pistols there to shoot in the downstairs range. I'd carry my Ruger .22 auto in a zippered gun case on the Metro and no one knew I had it.

[snavematt]

Actually I dont think you can, I believe DC you have to register them and its a big hassle. I personally wouldnt tell them, but thats me

[novus collectus]

I assume that I can bring my guns to my new home now that the law's been thrown out.

What's the latest?

Can one use a gun in self defense now?



Yes, but only at one's business or at one's home. There are some magazine capacity, bullet power and gun type bans or restrictions though, so be carefull what you bring.
When you arrive you must tell the DC police you brought your guns and start the registration process immediatly. There is (or was) a limit on the number of firearms one could register a month, but I don't think anyone asked yet about when people move to DC what happens if they have numerous guns and want to register them all at once.
You will be charged a registration fee for each and every gun. It is not cheap. You will also have to take a cfour hour class and an hour on the range with an instructor before you can own any gun....and this is not cheap.

The knife law is so vague that if you don't have a criminal record and don't let anyone else see it you should be okay. Never consent to any kind of search request by an LEO, but be polite and don't resist.
The DC knife law is truly vague indeed. One law I found said ANY weapon worn on the person is illegal which could include a roll of coins if someone wanted to read it that way.


One of you guys braver than me should call the D.C. police and ask them if you can come down and use the range.
Lol, I believe I did that when they made the range time requirement in about January I asked this very question....no go.


Back when the NRA was in D.C., we used to bring our .22LR pistols there to shoot in the downstairs range. I'd carry my Ruger .22 auto in a zippered gun case on the Metro and no one knew I had it.As long as you are transporting according to the statute, the DC police does not seem to care if you are using public transportation. However, if you cross state lines on public transport the feds might care about it and if even if you don't the WMATA police may have problems with you doing so (if they caught you).

[marlin.357]

Too late to move to Virgina instead?

[13mogul]

Move to Virginia

[Markp]

I assume that I can bring my guns to my new home now that the law's been thrown out.


Ummm, ya.... Nope. Probably not. You can still get arrested for unregistered ammo etc. DC still is very unfriendly to gun owners, unless you're a criminal in which case you can still carry a gun anywhere you want as long as you don't get caught.

If you can't own it in California, you can't own it in DC, that would include "assault weapons."

I would not assume ANYTHING, start with DC Code § 7-2501.01. Move to Virginia.

Mark

PS - DC Code Online
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/dcofficialcode

[Markp]

I love this stuff!

(a) No person shall possess ammunition in the District of Columbia unless:

(1) He is a licensed dealer pursuant to subchapter IV of this unit;

(2) He is an officer, agent, or employee of the District of Columbia or the United States of America, on duty and acting within the scope of his duties when possessing such ammunition;

(3) He is the holder of the valid registration certificate for a firearm of the same gauge or caliber as the ammunition he possesses; except, that no such person shall possess restricted pistol bullets; or

(4) He holds an ammunition collector's certificate on September 24, 1976.

(b) No person in the District shall possess, sell, or transfer any large capacity ammunition feeding device regardless of whether the device is attached to a firearm. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "large capacity ammunition feeding device" means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The term "large capacity ammunition feeding device" shall not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

[swinokur]

Ummm, ya.... Nope. Probably not. You can still get arrested for unregistered ammo etc. DC still is very unfriendly to gun owners, unless you're a criminal in which case you can still carry a gun anywhere you want as long as you don't get caught.

If you can't own it in California, you can't own it in DC, that would include "assault weapons."

I would not assume ANYTHING, start with DC Code § 7-2501.01. Move to Virginia.

Mark

PS - DC Code Online
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/dcofficialcode

DC amended their handgun list when threatened with yet another lawsuit. I believe they accept the MD and perhaps Massachusets approved list.

Novus?

[novus collectus]

DC amended their handgun list when threatened with yet another lawsuit. I believe they accept the MD and perhaps Massachusets approved list.

Novus?
Yes, they allow more guns, but I believe what is still banned is what CA basically bans.

[Karl/PA]

People come FROM DC not into it. Can't believe you can't live just over the border in either direction.

[Oldcarjunkie]

Sorry, dont think you can take them, however i have a nice home for them and me and my wife are willing to adopt :D

[swinokur]

People come FROM DC not into it. Can't believe you can't live just over the border in either direction.

Exactly. I escaped 50 years ago with my family and settled by mistake in Bethesda, but I was too young and didn't know anything about gun laws and my parents were flaming libs anyway. I should move to ol Virginny. Now there's a state that gets the 2A.


:party29:

Stu

[Cold Steel]

I actually am not going to let them know. In fact, I may just leave them with my family in Maryland. They have a safe.

[greyjhu]

DC firearms registration is a pain, especially if you need to take the safety course (or don't have a friend who is a firearms instructor who can attest to your firearms safety/competency with equivalent classroom/range hours).

If you decide to register in the District, make sure you follow the guidelines posted on www.dc.gov regarding the process.

The capacity limit for detachable mags is 10 rounds so if you don't have 10 round mags block them so they can only fit 10 or fewer rounds. Or, dismantle your "hicap" mags into an inoperable state for storage.

There is a good chance DC gun laws will change in the upcoming couple years. If you have lots of guns, consider leaving some outside of DC with the hope the laws will change.

[gprimr1]

I actually am not going to let them know. In fact, I may just leave them with my family in Maryland. They have a safe.

Not to be mean, but your moving to DC in 2009, not 1809.

Bring at least 1 for self defense in the home.

But really, for the price your probably paying to live in DC, you could probably find something in Virginia on the metro.

[ezliving]

It's almost as if Heller never happened.

[swinokur]

If you get in a snowball fight, be prepared for a DC MPD SWAT TEAM dispatch with APC's and full auto weaponry. They don't play around with snowball fights in DC.

[Leonidas583]

If you get in a snowball fight, be prepared for a DC MPD SWAT TEAM dispatch with APC's and full auto weaponry. They don't play around with snowball fights in DC.

HAHA! There lucky they didnt get shot by a true thug! I agree with him to some point (definitely excessive). I know a lot of people who wouod jump out at ya for throwing a snowball at their car - and give a good ass whoopin. But they wouldnt pull out a gun..

Registering a gun in DC is not that hard...You just need to know where to go and what to bring with you in advance..Ill get the link on monday..

[novus collectus]

HAHA! There lucky they didnt get shot by a true thug! I agree with him to some point (definitely excessive). I know a lot of people who wouod jump out at ya for throwing a snowball at their car - and give a good ass whoopin. But they wouldnt pull out a gun..

Registering a gun in DC is not that hard...You just need to know where to go and what to bring with you in advance..Ill get the link on monday..

Registering a gun is not that easy the first time and is expensive. One journalist went through the process just to see what it is like this year and it was hundreds iof dollars not including the gun. You need to pay for the four hours of training, the background check, the transfer fee the one FFL doing transfers charges, the registration fee, an eye exam if you do not have a drivers license, and I think a few other items.

However, it is still much easier than some places in the US which is a major improvement..

[Biggfoot44]

Still, unless you are become DC Police or FD , where residence is either required, or a factor for preference in hiring, DC is a small enough place that you can easily commute in to anywhere in DC, and any of your housing options in Va or even MD will be much nicer, much cheaper, or usually both. And even MD taxes lower too.

[Leonidas583]

Registering a gun is not that easy the first time and is expensive. One journalist went through the process just to see what it is like this year and it was hundreds iof dollars not including the gun. You need to pay for the four hours of training, the background check, the transfer fee the one FFL doing transfers charges, the registration fee, an eye exam if you do not have a drivers license, and I think a few other items.

However, it is still much easier than some places in the US which is a major improvement..


How long ago? I think they streamlined a couple things. I know who to call though...:party29:

[novus collectus]

How long ago? I think they streamlined a couple things. I know who to call though...:party29:
The journalist did this under the current law and was about for months ago.

It took $833.69, a total of 15 hours 50 minutes, four trips to the Metropolitan Police Department, two background checks, a set of fingerprints, a five-hour class and a 20-question multiple-choice exam
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103836.html
The handgun cost him $275, the rest of the $833 was for training costs, transfer fee, registration fee and other DC fees.
Still way better than Puerto Rico and maybe NY and maybe Hawaii.

[swinokur]

The journalist did this under the current law and was about for months ago.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103836.html
The handgun cost him $275, the rest of the $833 was for training costs, transfer fee, registration fee and other DC fees.
Still way better than Puerto Rico and maybe NY and maybe Hawaii.

To get my NV permit I spent

150 individual training class training class on a weekend (included range fee)
100.25 license fee
600 for my Glock which I already owned but would need anyway
25 bucks for ammo.

I did not include airfare to Vegas as that skews the comparison.
My VA and UT and FL permits were similar in costs and fees except I did not have to pay for training as I had previous certifications.

He didn't do that bad at all IMO. The gun was cheap. Buy a semi and it's even closer to what I paid.

[Markp]

To get my NV permit I spent

150 individual training class training class on a weekend (included range fee)
100.25 license fee
600 for my Glock which I already owned but would need anyway
25 bucks for ammo.

I did not include airfare to Vegas as that skews the comparison.
My VA and UT and FL permits were similar in costs and fees except I did not have to pay for training as I had previous certifications.

He didn't do that bad at all IMO. The gun was cheap. Buy a semi and it's even closer to what I paid.

Texas Permit
$70 class 1 day (Included range Fees)
$Free License Fee (I'm Military)
$199 Tokarev TTC
$30 FFL03
$100 for 1260 rounds (50 used $3.98)

$399 Total

Airfare $220 round trip - stayed with friends BWI-Austin Round Trip Southwest.

$619 with air fare. :)

Mark

[novus collectus]

Guys, that is a permit to carry, he had to pay all what he did just to own and be able to posses ammunition for it in his own home.

[Todd v.]

It's almost as if Heller never happened.

Amazing isn't it? What's a silly law to stand in the way of progression...?

[wabbit]

I know this is an old thread, but I will likely be coming to the D.C. area this summer. So, I had it in my mind that I would be living in an apartment in Washington DC, but then I looked at a map from AAA. It appears Arlington is not in D.C. but within the state of Virginia. I thought D.C. as a big square that cuts through both Maryland and Virginia, and this was a surprise to me. Someone please tell me that Arlington is not part of D.C. and not subject to their laws.

[strube]

I know this is an old thread, but I will likely be coming to the D.C. area this summer. So, I had it in my mind that I would be living in an apartment in Washington DC, but then I looked at a map from AAA. It appears Arlington is not in D.C. but within the state of Virginia. I thought D.C. as a big square that cuts through both Maryland and Virginia, and this was a surprise to me. Someone please tell me that Arlington is not part of D.C. and not subject to their laws.

VA took back their part of DC. Arlington is not subject to DC law as it is in VA.

[wabbit]

VA took back their part of DC. Arlington is not subject to DC law as it is in VA.

Strube, I love you, man! This is the best thing I've heard since I started looking into the move to the D.C. area!

[MrWhiteRabbit]

I know this is an old thread, but I will likely be coming to the D.C. area this summer. So, I had it in my mind that I would be living in an apartment in Washington DC, but then I looked at a map from AAA. It appears Arlington is not in D.C. but within the state of Virginia. I thought D.C. as a big square that cuts through both Maryland and Virginia, and this was a surprise to me. Someone please tell me that Arlington is not part of D.C. and not subject to their laws.

Yes. Arlington, Virginia is in Virginia.

And be careful because some people equate "inside the beltway" to be DC and that is incorrect. The beltway is a circle around the square-ish waste of land called DC. So you can be inside the beltway and be standing in VA, MD, or DC.

Familiarize yourself with a map to know where the borders are.

[gamer_jim]

VA took back their part of DC. Arlington is not subject to DC law as it is in VA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrocession_%28District_of_Columbia%29

If the North side of DC is ever retroceeded back to MD they would get voting and gun rights.

[swinokur]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrocession_%28District_of_Columbia%29

If the North side of DC is ever retroceeded back to MD they would get voting and gun rights.

MD gun rights are only slightly better than DC's IMO. Voting rights? For the same kind of bozos running MD? Not much of an improvement. The DC and MD legislators all drink the same Kool Aid.



My .02