How to buy a handgun in DC now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's to stop you from just buying a gun in VA just like any other virginia resident would and then driving back home?

Federal law criminalizes the sale of handguns to resident of another state. When you buy the gun in VA, the store will ask for your DL and refuse to give you the gun. Instead, they'll ask for the name and address of an FFL in DC to ship the gun to. Since there are no gun stores in DC, the only way for DC residents to by a handgun is through this process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they really going to release a handgun? I thought they were (unconstitutionally) banned in DC?

They have been legal in DC since the 2008 Heller decision. DC tried to make it hard after Heller, lost in court for it. Now DC is finally complying with Heller fully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's to stop you from just buying a gun in VA just like any other virginia resident would and then driving back home?

The very real fate of going to jail when you are:

A. found with it in your possession (someone intentionally or otherwise informs the police)
B. You used it...even if it was to defend yourself/family

Either way, you're going to jail in D.C.

And you’re completely incorrect.

A DC resident can absolutely legally buy a shotgun or rifle (with a few exceptions) in VA or MD, and bring it back to DC and register it with MPD.

There is a ten day waiting period for DC residents, meaning the long gun has to stay with the dealer for ten days after purchase. But after that period, the owner picks of their long gun from the dealer, brings it back to DC, and fills out their MPD registration form with 48 hrs of bringing it into the city.

The same process also applies for residents who move into the city with guns they already own.

I know several people in DC who own guns, a couple of them own dozens.

Totally legal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you actually have another option. The transfer process through MPD only applies to *handguns*, not long guns.

As a DC resident, you can purchase a non-regulated (in DC) long gun such as a rifle or shotgun, from a dealer in Virginia or Maryland. You can legally buy this long gun from a dealer there, and bring it home to DC.

Not all types of long guns are permitted in DC, so the best way to do this is to purchase from a dealer who is very familiar with the DC laws.

Best answer would be to go to Atlantic Guns in Silver Spring, just outside DC. They are very knowledgeable of DC gun laws, and understand what you’re able to own as a DC resident. They will walk you through the process.

A pump action shotgun is a very effective home defense gun, absolutely as useful as a handgun, and much easier to obtain and legally own in DC.

Good luck. Post back if you have any other questions.

Joe Biden actually suggested you "just buy a shotgun."

Don’t take gun advice from a guy who literally advocated shooting an unknown person through a door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you actually have another option. The transfer process through MPD only applies to *handguns*, not long guns.

A pump action shotgun is a very effective home defense gun, absolutely as useful as a handgun, and much easier to obtain and legally own in DC.

This is excellent advice. Just the sound of pumping the gun can have a deterrent effect on the creep breaking into your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they really going to release a handgun? I thought they were (unconstitutionally) banned in DC?

They have been legal in DC since the 2008 Heller decision. DC tried to make it hard after Heller, lost in court for it. Now DC is finally complying with Heller fully.

They still make it hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they really going to release a handgun? I thought they were (unconstitutionally) banned in DC?

They have been legal in DC since the 2008 Heller decision. DC tried to make it hard after Heller, lost in court for it. Now DC is finally complying with Heller fully.

They still make it hard.

What are they doing now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a gun??

For protection.....duh. I'm sure you live in McLean or some posh neighborhood in NW.

Buy one at the gun store in McLean.

These isn’t one anymore

[Anonymous]

For those recommending a long gun... I wanted a handgun is because I live in an apartment. A long gun seems more difficult for self defense in a smaller space. Am I thinking about this the wrong way? Appreciate any thoughts.

Also... how can I transport it? I would want to go to the shooting range to practice, and I don’t think any of them are in DC. Once I own it, can I transport it across state lines to go the range?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you actually have another option. The transfer process through MPD only applies to *handguns*, not long guns.

A pump action shotgun is a very effective home defense gun, absolutely as useful as a handgun, and much easier to obtain and legally own in DC.

This is excellent advice. Just the sound of pumping the gun can have a deterrent effect on the creep breaking into your house.

This is a cliche, without any real basis in reality. And the only thing the sound of a round being chambered absolutely DOES tell the creep is that you aren’t comfortable with having a loaded gun, and therefore potentially aren’t as competent with that gun as someone who keeps the weapon in Condition 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's to stop you from just buying a gun in VA just like any other virginia resident would and then driving back home?

Nothing. You could just buy it from a private party in a state like Virginia and take it home to DC. The only way the police would find out about it is if you actually had to use your gun or you were acting like an idiot with your gun. I wouldn't recommend it, but even carrying concealed without a permit isn't that risky. I have been carrying a gun legally for the last 20 years and have never been patted down by a police officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you actually have another option. The transfer process through MPD only applies to *handguns*, not long guns.

A pump action shotgun is a very effective home defense gun, absolutely as useful as a handgun, and much easier to obtain and legally own in DC.

This is excellent advice. Just the sound of pumping the gun can have a deterrent effect on the creep breaking into your house.

This is a cliche, without any real basis in reality. And the only thing the sound of a round being chambered absolutely DOES tell the creep is that you aren’t comfortable with having a loaded gun, and therefore potentially aren’t as competent with that gun as someone who keeps the weapon in Condition 1.

"Condition 1" with a shotgun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those recommending a long gun... I wanted a handgun is because I live in an apartment. A long gun seems more difficult for self defense in a smaller space. Am I thinking about this the wrong way? Appreciate any thoughts.

Also... how can I transport it? I would want to go to the shooting range to practice, and I don’t think any of them are in DC. Once I own it, can I transport it across state lines to go the range?

We have both shotguns and handguns in DC. If you are going to transport them to shooting range then you should register them. Though we have lived in DC for 20+ years with guns and only registered them after Heller. That said -- we have never once been pulled over with our guns in our car and we shoot regularly.

Long guns are easy. We were already in possession and simply registered them at the Firearm Registration Office. They are really helpful and the only non busy DC govt office!

We have brought in a few handguns. Some have been kept at our beach home but more recently we inherited a few. If you previously owned them you fill out application, make an appointment, bring in gun and register. Very simple. Our inherited ones were treated like a purchase so they were sent to MPD and released after application and appointment. All happened within maybe 4 days.

If you purchase in MD (my recommendation) or VA they will know what to do. There is a fee for handguns in DC, maybe $100 or so? The video is online and easy to watch. Really no big hurdles BUT I would suggest you take a real gun safety course. All shooting ranges have them and they are much better than the MPD one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those recommending a long gun... I wanted a handgun is because I live in an apartment. A long gun seems more difficult for self defense in a smaller space. Am I thinking about this the wrong way? Appreciate any thoughts.

Also... how can I transport it? I would want to go to the shooting range to practice, and I don’t think any of them are in DC. Once I own it, can I transport it across state lines to go the range?

It’s all about what you’re comfortable with. I recommended the shotgun because the red tape is significantly less. But if you think a handgun would suit you better, then that’s absolutely what you should go with. Just hop through the hoops, it’s the only way, unfortunately. And if you’re going to the trouble of getting a handgun, you should absolutely go the the slightly further trouble of getting your carry permit, if for no other reason than it makes transporting the handgun to the range or anywhere else a very easy task. No one can question your intent or cause for transporting it if you have the permit to carry.

If you’re relatively unfamiliar with handguns. I’d really recommend taking the class, finding a shooting mentor, and practice, practice, practice.

Maryland Small Arms Range in Clinton, MD is the closest public range to DC. It’s a pretty decent facility, but can get crowded with wait lines to get a lane during the evenings or weekends. Weekday daytime is much better.

And of course, they’re closed right now during the pandemic.


Good luck. Any further questions don’t hesitate to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's to stop you from just buying a gun in VA just like any other virginia resident would and then driving back home?

Nothing. You could just buy it from a private party in a state like Virginia and take it home to DC. The only way the police would find out about it is if you actually had to use your gun or you were acting like an idiot with your gun. I wouldn't recommend it, but even carrying concealed without a permit isn't that risky. I have been carrying a gun legally for the last 20 years and have never been patted down by a police officer.

I know thiz person is loi ting out the nature of any wfitten law. This is horrible advice. Do not do this. Its not worth the risk of getting caught. 5 years minimum in dc. This is what criminals do but then they dont care about the law anyway. This is what the 2a community is talking about. You can pass as many laws as you want but only paw abiding citizens will follow them.