This diary is part of a series about gun law and policy in Washington D.C., which has arguably the most strict gun laws in the nation. Buying a gun in Washington DC begins with obtaining a registration certificate from the Metropolitan Police Department. Five hours of safety training is also required, (four hours in class and one hour at the range). And that is just to legally own and carry a gun in one's home for the purpose of self defense. Along with Hawaii, Washington D.C. requires gun owners to register all their guns.
Washington DC neither issues concealed carry permits nor honors concealed carry permits from any state. Gun owners who live in DC can carry concealed weapons in Alaska, Arizona, and Vermont as long as they carry DC issued identification. Open carry is prohibited.
Union Station, Washington DC
Only eight states require gun owners
to register some or all of their guns with their local or state police.
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CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MD, NJ, NY
Registration of Firearms Policy Summary from the Law Center for the Prevention of Gun Violence
States that Require Registration of All Firearms
District of Columbia (all firearms)
Hawaii (all firearms)
States that Require Registration of Handguns
New York (handguns)
States that Require New Residents to Report Their Firearms
CA
MD (handguns and assault weapons)
States that Require Registration of Pre-Ban Assault Weapons or 50 Caliber Rifles
CA (assault weapons and 50 caliber rifles)
CT (assault weapons and large capacity magazines)
HI (assault pistols)
MD (assault pistols)
NJ (assault weapons)
NY (assault weapons)
Join us below the fold for a closer look at gun registration and safety training requirements in Washington, D.C.
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The Daily Kos Firearms Law and Policy group studies actions for reducing firearm deaths and injuries in a manner that is consistent with the current Supreme Court interpretation of the Second Amendment. We also cover the many positive aspects of gun ownership, including hunting, shooting sports, and self-defense.
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This diary is part of our series considering the constitutionality of our nation's most strict state and local gun laws. We began our study in October with Maryland's so-called "good cause" concealed carry law, Woollard v. Gallagher, that requires applicants to show proof of "apprehended danger" to justify their desire to carry a gun in public. In part II District of Columbia resident Christian Davenport, of The Washington Post, wrote about his experience buying and registering a gun in DC. Washington DC's current gun regulatory scheme was passed by the city council after the 2008 Supreme Court decision DC v Heller overturned 3 provisions of the District's 1976 law. The new laws have been challenged on constitutional grounds and are percolating slowly up to the Supreme Court. Later diaries in the series will cover the legal arguments.
I - Concealed Carry Law Petitions SCOTUS - Woollard v. Gallagher
II - Restrictive Gun Laws (Part II) - A Liberal Buys a Gun in DC
III - Washington DC Gun Registration and Safety Training Requirements (this diary)
IV - A conservative buys a gun in DC (Emily Miller at Washington Times)
V - Woollard v. Gallagher - Reasons to restrict guns in public.
VI - DC Gun Laws Go to Court - Dick Anthony Heller Takes Another Turn at Bat
Who May Register?
Registration of Firearms in the District of Columbia (Posted on January 2, 2012)
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Generally, no person or organization in the District of Columbia may possess or control a firearm unless the person or organization holds a valid registration certificate for the firearm.1
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Who May Register?
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Registration certificates may be issued to:
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• District residents possessing a handgun for self-defense within the resident’s home (see the “Registration Requirements for Handguns for Purpose of Self-Defense with in Registrant’s Home” subsection below for detailed regulatory requirements);2
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• An organization that employs at least one commissioned special police officer or employee licensed to carry a firearm whom the organization arms during the employee’s duty hours;
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• A retired Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) police officer (in the discretion of the Chief of Police); or
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• The Fire Marshal and any member of the District Fire and Arson Investigation Unit designated in writing by the Fire Chief, for the purpose of enforcing the District’s arson and fire safety laws, and in the discretion of the Chief of Police.3
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Who Is Exempt?
The following classes of persons are exempt from the District’s registration requirement:
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• Any law enforcement officer, agent of the government, or any member of the military authorized to possess a firearm “while on duty in the performance of official authorized functions;”
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• Any person holding a dealer’s license; provided that the firearm is acquired in the normal conduct of business, kept at the location described in the dealer’s license, and not kept for private use or protection, or for the protection of his or her business;
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• Any nonresident participating in a lawful firearm-related recreational activity in the District, or heading to or from such activity in another jurisdiction (provided that he or she can show proof of his or her participation if so demanded by law enforcement, possession or control of the firearm is lawful in the jurisdiction in which he or she resides, and the weapon is unloaded, securely wrapped, and carried in open view); or
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• Any person who temporarily possesses a firearm registered to another person while in the home of the registrant, provided that the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms and the person reasonably believes that possession of the firearm is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself.4
1D.C. Code Ann. §§ 7-2502.01, 7-2502.06(a). If the gun is being brought into the District, an application for registration must be filed immediately after the gun is brought into the District, or within 48 hours if such person personally communicates with the Metropolitan Police Department and provides any information demanded by the Department. Id.
2D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2320.1.
3D.C. Code Ann. § 7-2502.01(a).
4D.C. Code Ann. § 7-2502.01(b).
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[minor editing for readability] |
Registration Requirements
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For a detailed list of the prohibited categories that relate to registration certificates, see the District of Columbia Prohibited Possessors Generally section.
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Any person applying for a registration certificate must provide to the Chief of Police:
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• His or her full name or any other name by which the applicant is known;
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• His or her address and each home address where the applicant has resided during the five-year period immediately preceding the application;
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• His or her business or occupation and the addresses of such businesses or places of employment;
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• His or her date and place of birth;
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• His or her gender;
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• Whether (and if so, the reasons) the District, the United States or the government of any state or subdivision of any state has denied or revoked the applicant’s license, registration certificate, or permit pertaining to any firearm;
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• A description of the applicant’s role in any mishap involving a firearm, including the date, place, time, circumstances, and the names of the persons injured or killed;
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• The caliber, make, model, manufacturer’s identification number, serial number, and any other identifying marks on the firearm;
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• The name and address of the person or organization from whom the firearm was obtained, and in the case of a dealer, his or her dealer’s license number;
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• Where the firearm will generally be kept; |
• Whether the applicant has applied for other registration certificates; and
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• Such other information as the Chief determines is necessary to carry out the provisions of the District’s gun registration requirements.5
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Registration applicants must also provide two recently-taken photographs, and may be required by the Chief to be fingerprinted if necessary to conduct an efficient and adequate investigation into the applicant’s background.6 |
…Continue reading Registration of Firearms in the District of Columbia |
Only six states require gun owners
to undergo safety training to possess a gun in their home.
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CA, CT, DC, MD, MA, RI
Safety Training and Proficiency Testing Requirements
Registration applicants must complete a written examination that tests their knowledge of the District’s firearms laws, as well as knowledge of the safe and responsible use of firearms.12
The exam consists of a minimum of 20 questions, and applicants must score 75% or higher to pass.13 If an applicant fails the examination, he or she shall be allowed one retest without charge.14
Applicants also must complete a firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified firearms instructor or a certified military firearms instructor that provides, at a minimum, at least one hour of firing training at a firing range and a total of at least four hours of classroom instruction.15 To evidence that the applicant met this requirement, he or she must submit an affidavit from the certified firearms instructor who conducted or taught the course, providing the name, address, and phone number of the instructor and attesting to the successful completion of the course by the applicant.16
12D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2311.1.
13D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, §§ 2311.4, 2311.5.
14D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2311.7.
15D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2311.9.
16D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, § 2311.10.
…Continue reading Registration of Firearms in the District of Columbia
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This diary covers two provisions of Washington D.C's current regulatory scheme, registration and safety training. What about your state? Do you think your state should require gun owners to register their guns?
Additional Resources
Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department
Firearm Registration: Complete Registration Procedures