DC Gun Rights Suspended

[Pasifikawv]

While McDonald v DC overturned DC's misguided handgun ban, the ban is effectively in place once again.

There was only one FFL in all of DC. He had no inventory and only conducted transfers for DC residents at a whopping $125 per transfer.

Said FFL has had to close his office. There is now no FFL in DC and residnts have no means to legally acquire a handgun.

The FFL wants to re-open, but the DC gov't is using local ordinaces and zoning laws to make opening a new office to transfer firearms near to impossible.

For the time being, handgun rights in DC are suspended indefinetly. While the FFL is hopeful it is temporary and the the DC gov't will finally approve a new office location, there is no timetable as to when that may occur.

For now, DC residents simply cannot legally purchase handguns.

 

[dsbock]

I smell another lawsuit.

Paging Mr. Gura!

David

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I smell another lawsuit.

Paging Mr. Gura!

David

Unfortunately, that is exactly what it will take to force DC officials to stop governing against the will of the people.

I would like to see some effort toward building a coalition of citizens willing to contribute to a fund for financing lawsuits in support of individual rights, particularly Second Amendment rights. There are at least 80 million gun owners in this country. If only 10% would contribute a dollar per month the best lawyers in the country could be kept on permanent retainer, and public officials (elected and appointed) could learn what it is like to spend every waking moment defending their unconstitutional behaviors.

That FFL dealer in DC deserves all the support we can provide. He should not be left in the position of carrying the fight alone.

 

[Pasifikawv]

On the flip side, our national legislators could modify federal gun laws to allow DC residents to purchase handguns in MD or VA. As it stands, federal laws mandates that handguns can only be purchased in your home state whereas long guns can be purchased across state lines. A exception in federal law for DC residents allowing them to purchase both handgund and long guns in a neighboring state would end this nonsense as well.

 

[dsbock]

On the flip side, our national legislators could modify federal gun laws to allow DC residents to purchase handguns in MD or VA. As it stands, federal laws mandates that handguns can only be purchased in your home state whereas long guns can be purchased across state lines. A exception in federal law for DC residents allowing them to purchase both handgund and long guns in a neighboring state would end this nonsense as well.

I would rather see an exemption in Federal law allowing all law abiding US residents to purchase both handguns and long guns in any state.

David

 

[OKFC05]

I would rather see an exemption in Federal law allowing all law abiding US residents to purchase both handguns and long guns in any state.

David

Actually there was a proposal to do that buried in a ATF proposed legislative package a few years ago, but the Demo Congressional Leadership refused to allow consideration of the bill.

ATF's position at the time was with insta-check, it could be handled like long guns are now, where laws of both states must be followed.

Everybody say "THANKS, CONGRESS!"

 

[walnutred]

I think if I lived in DC, God forbid, I'd spend $30 and get a C&R. There are many handguns suitable for self defense that are C&R. Until things get properly fixed that is.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

On the flip side, our national legislators could modify federal gun laws to allow DC residents to purchase handguns in MD or VA. As it stands, federal laws mandates that handguns can only be purchased in your home state whereas long guns can be purchased across state lines. A exception in federal law for DC residents allowing them to purchase both handgund and long guns in a neighboring state would end this nonsense as well.

But DC (and everyone else) residents say that DC is not a state. So if they are not a state,how are they allowed to buy a gun?

 

[Broadside]

The ATF has already put out a notice to FFL's in Virginia and Maryland notifying them that D.C. residents can purchase firearms in both states.

This is a non-issue.

I do not, in the least, feel sorry for the single FFL in D.C. He was in it for the for the money, nothing else. He never cared one bit about the Second Amendment.

 

[badguybuster]

^that's a helpful attitude. If you could charge more for your services because you're the only game in town, you know you would. Heck, you wouldn't be human if you didn't. Everyone is out to make a buck

 

[stantheman86]

Heck $125 actually sounds reasonable if you're the only game in town.......

There's dealers here in PA that charge $75 for a transfer.....all he's doing is helping out the "part time" home FFL's who will do it for $20. My favorite small part time dealer makes more off GunBroker transfers than anything else.

 

[Pasifikawv]

The ATF has already put out a notice to FFL's in Virginia and Maryland notifying them that D.C. residents can purchase firearms in both states.

This is a non-issue.

Actually, I don't think this happened in reality. The firearm still MUST be transferred to DC.

I beleive that state laws in MD and VA also prohibit the sale to DC (or any other state's) residents - regardless of a federal exception. State laws in MD/VA would also have to change to allow sale to DC residents in addition to the change to ATF regs.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...dealer_to_move/2011/04/29/AFvAGHHF_story.html

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?id=15087

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Their tax laws are just as bad, if not worse. When clients complain about the unprincipled, confiscatory DC taxes the only advice that I can give them is "move".