Smith & Wesson.38 3" revolver purchased by the author in 2010.
(Photo: www.smith-wesson.com)
Any District of Columbia resident contemplating a handgun purchase in the near future should consider the advice of the lone gun dealer in the District, Charles Sykes. When asked about the most frequent mistake made by would-be D.C. gun buyers, he said, “They don’t learn about the gun registration process first” before buying a gun.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) provides residents with the legal requirements and paperwork, but residents must discover through trial and error the most efficient manner of completing the mandatory regulatory checklist. The following step-by-step guide to the D.C. gun registration process will fill some of the gaps.
1. Acquire the D.C. MPD “Firearms Registration General Requirements and Study Guide,” Application for Firearms Registration Certificate, and Statement of Eligibility.
Download the Study Guide located on the D.C. MPD website, and carefully read through all of the requirements to register a firearm. However, the Application for Firearms Registration isn’t downloadable because it’s a triplicate form. Upon request, the Firearms Registration Section (202-727-4275) will mail the Guide, Application, and Statement of Eligibility to the applicant. The forms can also be picked up at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 2169 (located across from Judiciary Square Metro Station).
Sykes also maintains copies of the Application, but be aware that the Application asks for more than an address, phone number, and responses to potentially incriminating questions. It also requires that the applicant provide all addresses of residence for the last five years (with dates of residence), as well as the applicant’s occupation, employers, and business addresses for the past five years (with dates of employment).
The Statement of Eligibility--wherein applicants are required to affirm under oath whether they have ever been “convicted of a prostitution related offense, being a vagrant, operating a bawdy house, abrogating strikers, or any felony” (Question Eight)--epitomizes D.C. regulatory minutiae. Not only is this mysterious Statement not mentioned in the Study Guide, there is no apparent reference to the Statement anywhere on the MPD website. However, MPD requires applicants to complete the form and have it notarized. MPD does not, however, offer notary services. Fortunately, Sykes will notarize the Statement upon request without any additional fee.
The author acquired the Beretta 92 FS semiautomatic 9mm
handgun in November 2008. (Photo: www.berettausa.com)
2. Attend the Mandatory Gun Safety Class
It’s a good idea to attend the mandatory five-hour (four hours of classroom instruction and one hour of range instruction) gun safety class early in the process, especially if you are a first-time buyer who is uncertain of what gun she wishes to acquire. Sykes says that the course “gives people a chance to see what firearm they might want and to get advice from the firearm instructor about what gun might work best for them.” Upon completion of the course, the instructor provides the applicant with a signed Firearms Safety Course Compliance form certifying course completion.
D.C. MPD provides a list of certified firearms instructors in the Guide, but, unhelpfully, instructors’ names and phone numbers are the only contact information provided. James Wiggins of Sirius, the instructor recently hired by the author, charges substantially less for the course than some other area gun safety instructors. Although highly-experienced gun owners relocating from Virginia or Texas may struggle to stay awake while watching the instructional videos, novice and intermediate gun owners will find the five-hour class valuable. Wiggins’s class covered not only critical information concerning the legal thicket surrounding the rules of engagement, but also gun operation, shooting technique, and tactical tips for home defense.
3. Buy a Gun
There are no gun stores within the District of Columbia, and Sykes doesn’t sell guns, he only handles the transfer of firearms. Handguns can be purchased on a reputable Internet website or any of the area stores (which usually double as gun ranges) in Virginia or Maryland. Visiting a brick-and-mortar storefront is recommended because the buyer can ask questions of gun experts and test fire handguns on the range.
The author is a regular patron of Sharpshooters in Lorton, Virginia. Sharpshooters offers a solid handgun inventory, including used guns sold on consignment. Instructor Wiggins uses Gilbert Indoor Range for the class venue, and Gilbert also sells a few guns. Realco Guns in District Heights, MD, offers a broad selection of new and used handguns. All three locations feature a gun range and gun rentals. The seller of a firearm will typically charge approximately $25 for the overnight shipment to Sykes, as required by federal law.
Prior to a final purchase decision, verify that the gun may be registered under D.C. law. Check the MPD website, which maintains a list of permitted guns. Thanks to attorney Alan Gura (of District of Columbia v. Heller fame), a broad range of handguns may be registered. In the wake of Heller Supreme Court case recognizing a constitutional right to bear arms, the District banned semiautomatic handguns and then attempted to sharply limit which handguns were allowed. D.C. eventually reversed course due to legal pressure from Gura.
Buyers of semiautomatic pistols take note: It is illegal for D.C. gun owners to possess a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Many semiautomatics, such as the Beretta 92FS, come standard with a 15-round magazine. Although difficult to find at local stores, a 10-round magazine may be purchased on the internet for $22 + shipping and handling.
All gun owners with children living in the home should also invest in a gun safe. The District imposes criminal liability for the negligent storage of firearms. A gun safe permits the owner to prevent a child from acquiring a firearm while at the same time providing quick access to a firearm in case of emergency. Gun locks may be difficult to operate under stressful circumstances and may not even thwart the will of a determined child.
The 1200 block of Good Hope Road, S.E.
4. Meet Charles Sykes
After purchasing the handgun, call Sykes at 301-577-1427. After Sykes receives the firearm from the seller, schedule a time to meet with Sykes at his sparsely-furnished office (1213 Good Hope Road S.E.) located a 12-minute walk from the Anacostia Metro Station.
Sykes will run a criminal background check and hand you a federal form to complete. D.C. law requires that applicant and Sykes sign the Firearms Registration Certificate “in the presence of each other.” Remember to ask Sykes to notarize the Statement of Eligibility. After this stage of the process is complete, Sykes will request a transfer fee of $125 cash.
5. Obtain Two Passport-Size Photos
Registration applicants must submit two passport-style photos taken within the 30 days prior to the date the application is filed. If one is traveling on the Green Line from the Anacostia Metro, getting off at the Archives Metro Station will provide easy access to either Penn Camera (840 E Street N.W.) or CVS (435 8th Street N.W.). Although the CVS photos are $4 cheaper than Penn Camera’s $12 fee, during a recent 2 p.m. visit to the 8th Street N.W. CVS location, service was very slow and the product was undesirable. Both stores are located within walking distance of the Firearms Registration Section a few blocks away.
6. File Your Registration Application, Pay the Fees, Get Fingerprinted, and Take the Test
Navigate the metal detector at the entrance to 300 Indiana Avenue, N.W. and head straight back to the Firearms Registration Section. The applicant should submit a completed Application form, notarized Statement of Eligibility, two passport photos, and a completed Firearms Safety Course Compliance form. Thereafter, proceed directly to Room 1140B in the basement, where the cashier will accept cash payment for the application, ballistics test, and fingerprinting/FBI background check fees.
Upon returning to the Firearms Registration Section with a paid receipt, the applicant will be fingerprinted. The multiple-choice test is not difficult as long as the Study Guide is carefully reviewed beforehand (most people incorrectly answer the question about antique firearms). The applicant will also complete a form authorizing MPD to perform a background check.
7. Obtain the Approved Firearms Registration Certificate
Following the 10-day waiting period, the approved registration certificate may be picked up by the applicant or MPD will mail the registration certificate upon request.
8. Visit Charles Sykes Again
Travel to Anacostia again and provide Sykes with the approved registration certificate. Sykes will transfer the firearm to the registered owner.
9. Visit the Firearms Registration Section Again
Newly-registered firearms must be brought to the Firearms Registration Section for a ballistics test. The Guide suggests that this process takes approximately one hour.
10. Take the Handgun Home or to the Shooting Range
D.C. law does not permit the possession of a handgun outside the home unless the individual is traveling to a gun range. Therefore, after the registration process is complete, the handgun must be taken straight home or to a gun range.
Although the District of Columbia government has created the elaborate gun registration process ostensibly to reduce gun violence, Sykes says, “Gun violence isn’t a problem with the people who try to obtain the gun legally.” The registration process adds substantially to the cost of the firearm. If a firearm is purchased for $450, the new owner must thereafter contend with the following expenses:
- $22.50 Virginia sales tax
- $25 shipment fee
- $125 gun class fee (may be more depending on the instructor)
- $125 gun dealer transfer fee
- $12 passport photos
- $13 application fee
- $12 ballistics test fee
- $35 fingerprinting / FBI background check fee
The total fees and taxes are $369.50, nearly doubling the actual cost of a $450 firearm to $819.50.
Meanwhile, the process for obtaining a gun in Virginia involves three steps: (1) walk into a store, (2) pay for the gun while submitting to an instant background check, and (3) walk out of the store with the gun, which may be carried outside of a personal residence. Law-abiding gun owners in the District might well exclaim: “If only it were that easy.”
Comments
Thanks for the info. I'll tuck it away for later use should I desire to go this route.
This is a very well written and informative article. I can't wait to read your next article.
Very nice article. The WaPo ran a similar article in September 2009, which was a bit over the top with the reporter’s preconceived notions of firearms. I greatly prefer your unbiased fact based reporting. Thank you for this informative article.
First, thanks Kris! I knew a DOJ lawyer could be good for something! ;)
Second, a caveat question... What if I'm moving into DC and already own a gun and am a member of the Armed Services?
I am linking to this article from my blog, DC Handgun Info (just Google it).
Thanks for the article. What about rules for buying and registering a long gun?
You forgot to note that the handgun course is required even if you just want a SHOTGUN.
And are you sure about the form being notarized? Granted I registered my shotties before the new rules, but I didn't need anything notarized.
Is the notary thing new? I never had to do that while registering the shotties?
@Matt. for a long gun, you can skip Sykes (Yay!) but you still need to take the course learning how to fire a handgun (stupidist thing in the world).
Basically the Council set it up (led by Mendelson and Cheh) to reserve the right only to DC's wealthiest residents. The process is classism at its best.
@beatbox The Statement of Eligibility must be notarized, all of the standard notary blanks are on the form. However, after the first gun is registered, the previous Statement of Eligibility on file is used for the new application (this is MPD's interpretation of the law). The applicant may also skip the test, fingerprinting (and fee), and class (and fee) on subsequent applications-- so ironically, the more guns you buy the more money you save. :)
@Matt If you already own the firearm, bring the unloaded gun with you to the MPD registration department. You might give them a call ahead of time.
I forgot one issue of importance to semiautomatic fans.
It is illegal to possess a magazine that holds more than ten rounds of ammunition in the District of Columbia. My Beretta came with a 15-round magazine. I had to buy a 10-round magazine on the Internet, adding $20 + $20 shipping and handling to the price.
I'll try to amend the article somehow.
This information is very good I guess limited incomes will not be able to purchase a weapon for their protection.
Given the extensive costs and time involved in registering any type of firearm, is this not a grounds for a law suit on some kind of income discrimination grounds? I wonder if we could get the city to issue vouchers for low-income residents.
What's the procedure for getting an abortion in Washington, DC?
Wow that's irrelevant. Fewer humans is better, SATAN says so.
My Lord, that is simply pathetic. In a sane world the entire process would be deemed unconstitutional in a heartbeat. Imagine having to go through that to attend a church.
Here in NH, it's *much* simpler: 1)Choose gun, 2)Fill out one page Federal form, 3)Show drivers license, 4)Store does 5-minute instant background check, and 5)Pay for gun. No special gun license required.
Imagine having to pay double for a newpaper in D.C. because the city claims it needs to address the problems of people who litter the streets with used newspapers.
You forgot to mention that if you bought the gun online for a discount and had it transferred through a VIRGINIA FFL, you would pay something like $20-30 for a transfer fee. Instead of the $125 Mr. Sykes charges.
Come to Oklahoma, much easier (actually, same as VA). Then, if you want to CARRY your weapon at all times, you take a class, submit a form, get a license to do so... Nice, simple, IN LINE WITH THE 2ND AMENDMENT!
And we have a LOT less gun crime...hmmm.......
I'm ok thanks. I'll take the expensive/lengthy firearm registration process as a fair trade off for the fine dining, enlightened conversation, and higher median salaries.
@Kris Hammond: Not in my case. I was told that if I want to buy another shotgun, I need to take the handgun course.
What are the requirements for becoming a Police Chief or Mayor in DC?
So if I have a shotty that was registered before the training requirement, will I have to take the course when i have to reregister?
Remember, DC feels it's safer to have a late, fat, ignorant SEIU-member cop (who probably can't tell you from the perp who's trying to hurt you) have a gun instead of you.
If I lived in DC, I'd keep a shotgun at home, and if the city government wanted to hassle me about it, I'd sue them for violating my civil rights. This hoop-jumping is an unconstitutional infringement of my right to self-defense.
I checked the study guide but can't find any comment about antique firearms. What is the question and answer that involves antiques?
Not to mention that Virginia has much less gun crime than DC.
You know, when anyone brings up an idea as simple as proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, the same people who instituted these draconian gun registration rules would scream to high heaven that you're creating an unconstitutional hurdle to the voting process.
I checked the study guide but can't find any comment about antique firearms. What is the question and answer that involves antiques?
You can be denied a handgun for "Abrogating Strikers"? What does that mean? If you've ever worked as a 'scab', you can't own a gun? What the hell?
Some Guy - While I like the idea of using a Virginia FFL to save transfer fees, that won't work. As a resident of DC, any Virginia FFL cannot transfer the firearm to you. Mr. Sykes literally is the only way to legally get a gun into DC residents' hands.
"The seller of a firearm will typically charge approximately $25 for the overnight shipment to Sykes, as required by federal law."
Overnight is not required, FFLs may ship guns via regular mail. Overnight is only required by policy of FedEx or UPS, not by law.
They really don't understand the letter or the intent of "shall not be infringed", do they.
A wonderful exposé on the anal-retentive, Byzantine DC process.
Perhaps in a future column you could address the "approved procedure" for a person moving INTO the District who ALREADY owns guns.
In Pennsylvania, want a handgun? Go to gun shop, give proprietor cash, fill out a piece of paper (or the dealer will fill it in and you just sign it), run the instant check gauntlet (two minutes?), and walk out with your purchase. Taxes & fees? Sales tax plus five bucks for the background check.
Want a License to Carry Firearms? Go to county court house, fill out one-page application, pay your fee, have your picture taken, wait for your license (sometimes issued immediately, other counties up to 45 days). Cost? $25-$45, depending. Allows you to carry concealed, or in a vehicle, or open carry in Philadelphia (they're special).
Want to open carry anywhere in the state? NO LICENSE REQUIRED (except Philadelphia, because they're special).
I haven't seen the question but any firearm manufatured in 1898 or earlier is "antique" under DC law.
Is it legal to bring a handgun registered in D.C. to a shooting range in Virginia or Maryland? I assume it is because it doesn't seem that there are ranges in D.C. I just wasn't show how it works with bringing a gun across state lines. Thank you.
Yes it's perfectly legal. If your driving to the range needs to be in the trunk, unloaded "seperate from ammunition", and in a secure container (locked), The NRA range, Blue Ridge Arsenal, MD Small Arms, and On Target are within 40 min. Gilbert's Guns is closer but they require you shoot there overpriced ammo, strongly encourange membership, and the range fees are very high.
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