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DC to decide on Parker appeal
The DC mayor says the city will decide on whether to go to the Supremes within the next week. (That's inevitable: they have until August 8 or so to file, and it can take weeks to get the petition and record printed. Yes, the Supremes require real offset printing).
[update in light of comments: Back 20 years ago, I was told there was a sporting goods store in DC that had an FFL. I doubt you could get one today. A expensive solution might be to buy antique arms, those made before Jan. 1 1899, which are not "firearms" under the Gun Control Act and thus can be sold interstate. Rifles would be easiest to find (Krags, 1893 Mausers, etc.) but at greater expense you could probably get, oh, Colt Single Action Armies, etc..]
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I hope Judge Silberman has him in jail for contempt if he doesn't appeal. He said it would be a serious abuse of the system if he did not appeal.
"residents can begin legally purchasing guns after the appeal period expires"
Given that there are no gun dealers in DC, this is a bit of a moot point. There would still be no legal way to purchase a new handgun. That said, a lot of people will be receiving guns as gifts, and retrieving guns stored outside the city.
If you have an FFL, are you free to open shop anywhere in the US?
"If you have an FFL, are you free to open shop anywhere in the US?"
One can hope, but you'd still need a local business license. My guess is that this will be DC's next line of defense: refusing to grant a business license. I certainly hope someone navigates the process though; 31 years is far too long for an entire city to have it's civil rights trampled.
That said, there's nothing to stop a citizen from applying for a federal Curio and Relic (collector) license. A C&R would open the door to many handguns suitable for self/home defense, even if they're a touch old.
IMO, Since DC is not a "State" a resident of DC should be able to purchase a long gun from any State nearby that does not restrict it. Handguns would be a harder question since you must be a resident of a State to purchase from a dealer in that State. I'm not sure how the BATFE reads for DC, if at all. Even a non-dealer face-to-face transfer would be in question.
Yes, gifts and out-of-DC stashed guns could be collected and, hopefully, alot of "gardening"
will be done.
DC Code:
Division I, Title 7, Subtitle J, Chapter 25, Unit A, SubChapter IV Licensing of Firearms Businesses.
Allows for a DC firearms dealer license (requiring yearly renewal) with a fee (unspecified, but at the discretion of the Mayor).
You can get to the code through the www.dc.gov site - I recommend doing so on an empty stomach, because it will make you sick.
There are all kinds of nasty surprises in there for anyone wishing to open up shop in DC. Any dealer in DC should probably expect constant harassment by the MPD as ANY member of the MPD may enter the shop and demand to examine all records - which are voluminous in nature above and beyond those required by the feds, including (but far from limited to) every single ammunition sale, including information linking the ammo sold to the registered gun for which it was intended, and the TIME OF DAY that it was sold - the law is unclear if the 'time' is when the paperwork is started or when it finishes [sarcasm off].
There are restrictions on the display of guns and ammo (basically you can't).
There is a requirement for the Delers ID to be on the gun as well as the serial number.
...it just goes on and on...
It's like Satan Herself (AKA Sarah Brady) wrote it...
"...should be able to purchase a long gun from any State nearby that does not restrict it."
That is how it is handled now for the [very limited] class of long guns that can be legally owned and onerously registered.
I thought Satan was Carolyn McCarthy?
Geez, ya learn something new here every day.
They could also purchase replica cap & ball handguns and bypass FFL requirements. Traditions makes a great replica 1860 Army.
Continuing on DWLawson's theme, North American Arms makes a hideout-style .22 blackpowder revolver. Very fine weapon, but I have no idea how hot it might be loaded. My guess would be at least to .22LR levels, though.
Well they just have to keep the lawsuits coming then.
Better yet: start with an 1858 Remington (Uberti or Pieta) or a Ruger Old Army, then add an R&D conversion cylinder. Either would be a workable option, albeit slow to reload. And by the time you buy the Revolver and the conversion cylinder, you've spent more than you would for a modern pistol.
Don't forget the cap and ball revolvers for which 45 Long Colt cylinders are available.
To me, this is the most interesting part of the article:
"Metropolitan Police spokeswoman Traci Hughes said if the mayor does not appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court and the D.C. Council does not enact any legislation restricting the sale or use of handguns, residents can begin legally purchasing guns after the appeal period expires.
If the mayor does not appeal the ruling, the ban will expire while the council is in recess, which could delay the introduction of new legislation regulating the sale and use of handguns."
My prediction is that Fenty doesn't appeal and the city council quickly throws together new restrictive laws (before recess), thus beginning the years of court challenges.