DC Re-registration Begins Today

fscwi said:

I did mine recently, also did a new registration for a rifle at the same time. It was kind of weird walking through downtown DC to the registration site with my gun its its hard case, but nobody seemed to notice. The staff was friendly, but I was a bit surprised at a couple of comments about the firearm. Its a bolt action that holds 4 shells, which I noted in the description. The officer looked kind of puzzled and said "isn't this a single shot?". Then he was just kind of looking over the gun and said "that's a real nice sight you have on there", in reference to the scope.

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I remember doing this a couple years ago when I had to register my M1 Garand that CMP had shipped to me. The only pace I could find parking was a garage a couple blocks away from MPD HQ, so I parked underground and took the elevator to the office building lobby. On the way out the door, the security guard asks me, "What's in the case, fishing poles?" Uh, yeah. Fishing poles.

Going through security at the Daly Building was even more interesting, as I'm surrounded by all these sketchy people in the line. I get to the front, and tell the guards I'm here for the firearms registration and point to the case before laying it on the belt to go through the metal detector. I don't think they were quite expecting what I had in the case when it popped up on the x-ray monitor. So much for not attracting attention.

IJM said:

Going through security at the Daly Building was even more interesting, as I'm surrounded by all these sketchy people in the line. I get to the front, and tell the guards I'm here for the firearms registration and point to the case before laying it on the belt to go through the metal detector. I don't think they were quite expecting what I had in the case when it popped up on the x-ray monitor. So much for not attracting attention.

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I have brought in a couple of guns from outside and helped a pal who was transferring some as well. You can simply ask the guard to knock on the firearms office door (it is about 10' from the north entrance security check) and they come out and take it without going through the scanner.

But you are correct in that it is daunting the first time going to the center of DC with a weapon. The first one I brought in 2008 I had no paperwork and I got several totally different instructions on how to bring it in from the firearms office -- which was full of misinformation at time.

FRS has moved upstairs now, so you have to to up the elevator to get there. It's a larger and nicer space, which is nice. The employees seem to be in a better mood as well.

You guys are real troopers for putting with all this. Not sure I would... I am pretty sure that only a supeana will get me to go to DC. And I may request an escort from the us narshalls office. . They do that right

rascal said:

It is about 20,000 owners with 30,000 guns in DC as of Feb 2014.
And DC firearms fees/police labor are pretty low. They seem to be revenue neutral.

Not defending the process, not at all, but I doubt there is any profit. It is also much easier than Ms. Miller makes it out to be. Her articles have probably stopped a lot of people would would be gun owners.




Just a couple of points of clarification. The FFL (sykes) does not need to hold the gun for 10 days. I have picked up a gun he has had for as little as 24 hours.

IN DC the 10 day waiting period is from the first recording of transaction. In other words if you order a firearm online on March 1st, and the seller gets it in stock March 5 and bills and ships it March 6, and Sykes gets it March 9, you can pick it up March 10th. You just need to bring in anything like an email confirmation or screenshot of the initial order showing March 1.

On long guns you do not need to go through the FFL at all. You stop at the firearms office for one minute and pick up DC registration form. You can buy in Md, or Va at Dicks or Bass or any gun shop. You pick out your gun, fill out the paperwork, on the 10th day after to the Firearms office. If you have bought a gun before you will be out of there in 45 mins to an hour with your card which you then use to pick up the gun.

On long guns DC uses old "assult weapons" ban, so ruger mini 14 standard is ok, ruger with pistol grip is not.

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Well, my experience was different than yours. Mr Sikes said to me that the 10 day period starts when the transaction starts. Although I had receipts [online tran-actions] its possible my receipts did not meet the criteria , so its possible my 'timer' started the day I went to apply / pickup my firearm.


When I purchased my handgun, it was from an online dealer. It was shipped and although I had a record of my transaction, the FBI investigation was not completed the same day. I had to wait 8 days before I could bring the handgun home.

My shotgun was a gift and I had possession of it [kept at my parents in MD]. I was able to register that [no transaction with Sikes was necessary] and the FBI check was immediate .

My Rifle transaction was similar to my transaction with the handgun. Although the sale had taken place at least 10 days before the firearm arrived to Mr Sikes, he still had to hold it for a week due to the FBI.

I was not aware that I could actually purchase a long gun outside of DC receive it immediately. I was under the impression all gun sales must be through the FFL in DC [ie: Buy it online or outside of DC, [private or public] and Sikes has to touch it.]

If I'm incorrect that would be great, because I do want either a Ruger Mini or an SKS [both legal in DC as long as they meet the magazine capacity requirements].

Anyway, thanks for the clarification. I only know my personal experiences, and although not as carefree as states like 'Florida' or 'Texas' may be, its a major jump as far as access to firearms for DC Residents. As a long time resident, I appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to exercise my 2A rights.
DC residents pay federal taxes like everyone else, and we need to work harder asserting and demanding our full rights.

I remember when I had to register my second gun. I actually biked down because parking doesn't exist there. So in my backpack along with my case was a tire patch kit. That set off alarm bells. because there was a tool for prying off the tire they didn't want to let me in. I'm like - you realize I came in with a gun, right? Sigh.

Also, what is the process for shotguns? I'm in the market for one but am confused about the purchase/registration process.

Turbohugh said:

Well, my experience was different than yours. Mr Sikes said to me that the 10 day period starts when the transaction starts. Although I had receipts [online tran-actions] its possible my receipts did not meet the criteria , so its possible my 'timer' started the day I went to apply / pickup my firearm.

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The 10 day waiting period starts from the date on the first documented portion of the transaction. If you order a gun online it is there order date. You just bring a screenshot or order confirmation. Ie of you order on the evening on the 10th of the month, you are charged on the 12th, it is shipped on the 12th, arrives at sykes on the 16th, the waiting period ends on the 20th. That is a fact born out by dozens of us in the DC shooters meetup group. And that has been the case with my three handgun purchases

When I purchased my handgun, it was from an online dealer. It was shipped and although I had a record of my transaction, the FBI investigation was not completed the same day. I had to wait 8 days before I could bring the handgun home.

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If your FBI check took 8 days in DC it would have taken 8 days in idaho or Tennessee. I that zero to do with DC local but the FBI system. It may have been down (very rare) or you may have name that is shared with on or more disallowed persons. In my gun transactions at MPD DC (four handguns, three of them new, one semi auto shotgun and one semi auto rifle I have been NCICed by Sykes three times (the new handguns). Sykes does NCIC by phone and it took less than two minutes while I sat there. The MPDC did NCIC a second time on handguns (about 10 minutes and also on long guns and guns brought in from other juristictions.) Sykes uses your name and address. DC MPD uses that for NCIC and also has your prints run which is separate from NCIC. Although prints could take longer, it is generally a couple of minutes

My Rifle transaction was similar to my transaction with the handgun. Although the sale had taken place at least 10 days before the firearm arrived to Mr Sikes, he still had to hold it for a week due to the FBI.

I was not aware that I could actually purchase a long gun outside of DC receive it immediately. I was under the impression all gun sales must be through the FFL in DC [ie: Buy it online or outside of DC, [private or public] and Sikes has to touch it.]

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That is incorrect. I have two long guns register in the past year. My mini-14 was bought at cabelas and my semi auto shotgun at bass pro ( at the time I had a consulting job which took me to PA twice a month -- and sykes never saw touched or knew about either.
If you are buying a long gun from a NON FFL individual then you do go through sykes, otherwise you do NOT.

How my Bass pro purchase worked and how it will work for you if you already have any other DC license:
1) Day 1. Stop at a Bass pro. look at long gun decide to buy it. Have them print the PD-219 from the DC website. Fill out their own Maryland paperwork. Fill out the PD-219 for you as well. Take the PD-219 with you.

2) Day 10. Go to MPD with the 219, receipt of purchase, your drivers license and your existing firearms license. (You will not need to do online test or dc law test if you already have a licensed firearm. ) If your existing prints and photo are less than a year old they will not print and photo you again. Hand them the 219 and receipt. They send you upstairs to pay about $30 in fees. By the time you get back your license will be ready. Both times for me total time was under 60 minutes,

3) Day 10 or after. Go to back bass pro (or dicks or LGS in VA, MD, PA etc) show them your new FOID for that serialized firearm and take it home. (bring a car with trunk or a lockable case)[/QUOTE]

If I'm incorrect that would be great, because I do want either a Ruger Mini or an SKS [both legal in DC as long as they meet the magazine capacity requirements].

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I have a mini. You want one of the two configs with no muzzlebrake. I suppose you could fight their claim that a muzzle brake is a flash suppressor, but you will have no problem with the two non-muzzlebrake mini 14 configs.

Personally, I have an Ares SCR on order and would recommend that instead.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification. I only know my personal experiences, and although not as carefree as states like 'Florida' or 'Texas' may be, its a major jump as far as access to firearms for DC Residents. As a long time resident, I appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to exercise my 2A rights..

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Cool. What I find ironic is that this is a Maryland based forum and yet from these forums most would not know the objective fact that is WAY EASIER and faster to get a handgun in DC than in Maryland. And since DC uses Marylands list, ther eis no handgun you can get in maryladn you also can't get in DC.

And while so may complain of DC's "no issue" rule on concealed, one has to wonder how that is worse than Maryland's "may issue" which is effectively the same thing.

Darth Fabulous said:

I remember when I had to register my second gun. I actually biked down because parking doesn't exist there. So in my backpack along with my case was a tire patch kit. That set off alarm bells. because there was a tool for prying off the tire they didn't want to let me in. I'm like - you realize I came in with a gun, right? Sigh.

Also, what is the process for shotguns? I'm in the market for one but am confused about the purchase/registration process.

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That is because the security officers at the door are not responsible for looking at guns once you declare them, they are passed around that security and taken direct to the firearms office the building by a cop.

So for shotguns and long guns, here is your process if you already hold any other firearms license in DC.

1) Determine if your shotgun or long gun is $50-$100 including shipping cheaper online. If so you may want go through skyes (the FFL). If you go through sykes you pay $125 but you don't have to make two trips to an adjoining state store. If you go through skyes it is just like a second handgun. So I will just give example of store purchase without sykes as FFL.

2, Print up a couple of copies of PD219 from MPD firearms office website. Put them in your car so you have them when you go to a bass pro, walmart, or dicks or LGS in Md or Va.
http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=148938

3. Make sure that what you want is compliant with DC's list. In DC we use a allowed list for handguns models by make and model, and a "disallowed attributes" list for long guns.
http://mpdc.dc.gov/sites/default/fi...ttachments/firearms_eligible_registration.pdf

4. Call store to see if the long/shot gun you want is in stock. If they stock it so you can secure a serial number you will have only two trips(otherwise you may have to make three trips to store (deposit trip, purchase and 219 fill-in trip, pickup trip).

5. go to store. pay for shotgun. You and seller fill out DC PD 219 and whatever local paperwork, and federal form. Take PD 219 home with you.

6 Ten days later (or 30 days since your last purchase) go downtown to firearms office with your 219, drivers license or ID, $30 or so, and although it takes about an hour, give yourself two hours in case they are busy. If you have prior license they will not test you. They may or may not fingerprint and photo you again depending on how long ago last registration was. Leave with your FOID for the new gun and a copy of the 219.

7. Go to store and pick up your gun (bring a car with trunk or lockable case)