Guns in DC -- no gun stores, but look who has a license
**************************************************
<http://tinyurl.com/67zqob>
Knoxville, TN KnoxNews blog
27 June 2008
So, how does one lawfully get guns into DC? Even after Heller takes
effect, it's a tough issue due to zoning:
Washington has no federally licensed gun stores, so nowhere in the
city can residents buy a handgun legally.
Not true, really. There is one licensed firearms dealer in the city.
One Josh Sugarmann of the anti-gun shill group the Violence Policy
Center.
They can be reached at:
Violence Policy Center
1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Suite 1014
Washington, DC 20036
phone (202) 822 8200
Ask them what they're charging for transfers. If they say they don't
do them, remind them that, thanks in part to their kind's lobbying
efforts, it is typically viewed a violation of federal law to hold an
FFL and not be in the business of dealing firearms.
What a wonderful business opportunity! The only problem is that the Mayor & his ilk will be doing EVERYTHING they can to prevent any dealers from opening up shop in DC.
Not anymore IRRC. The ATF shut down that one under Clinton. Now you must have a commercial space to have an FFL..... which means that VPC is registered in ATF as a Gun Store.
I wonder if I should call Bloomberg and have this store checked.
ATF will only issue a FFL if you are properly zoned. You can do it out of your home if you are zoned for small business (or whatever it's called in your neighborhood)
The real issue here is that the antis pressed BATFE to increase their supervision of FFLs and enforce a requirement that FFL holders actually "do business". You are not supposed to get an FFL just so you can transfer guns to yourself personally. So, at the urging of the antis, BATFE has revoked a lot of licenses of so-called "kitchen table" FFL holders precisely because they did not sell any/enough guns.
Sugarmann has an FFL so that VPC can have a presence at gun shows and some other places (trade gatherings, I presume) where an FFL is required for entry. Since he obviously sells no guns, this is in violation of BATFE regulations, and this should be yelled from the rooftops until BATFE shuts this schmuck down.
In the meanwhile, do call him and ask what his transfer fee is. :smile:
(The lack of gun shops due to zoning restrictions in D.C. is a whole 'nother ball of wax still to be dealt with...)
I think I'm going to send him a post card asking if he does transfers.........Something along the lines of:
J. A. Sugarman
1370 Rhode Island Ave. NW #1014
Washington DC 20036
Dear Mr Sugarman,
I have a relative in DC who needs a handgun to protect themselves at home. In light of the recent Heller v DC decision, I thought this would be a good time to gift him a handgun for the sake of his children.
I searched the BATFEs FFL holder list & see you are listed as having one & as luck would have it, you are also located in DC.
Could you tell me what your transfer fee is? Most dealers around here charge $25-$50 dollars. I know that with the recent over turning of the DC gun ban, you will probably be busy.
I look forward to your reply. Stay safe & carry always!
It took a few steps to locate his extension (dial '567' at the employee extension listing option then press pound) but I hit his VM.
I left him a brief message with my full name and indicated cell phone number, stating that I am inquiring about his firearms transfer fee toward a revolver as per his listing at the BATF website stating he is an FFL.
I stated that I'm in meetings today and to leave a VM if I do not answer and that I will return his call ASAP.
Honestly I do not expect to ever hear back from Mr. Sugarmann.
Clearly he is not a practicing FFL dealer.
As such his only play is to not return my call to which he can then later if called on it claim ignorance. And not be on record that he is in fact and truth not a practicing FFL.
These people aren't dumb, on the whole. My statement inquiring about his FFL calling out of the blue, right around the time of DCvHeller, is not going to be taken by him to be happenstance. Further my stated inquiry about transfer of a revolver in specific should also be a clue.
I have just used the information in this post to formally inquire about transferring a firearm as a gift for my brother-in-law who works and lives in old town.
Guys no offense to harp on the parade that needs to be going to Pennsylvania avenue. But since your not a resident all he has to ask you is for a copy of your DC drivers license. You have to be in DC to but a gun from him. I'm sure he doesn't have a stock of guns. Because before the Heller decision there where absolutly NO Handguns in the District!!! Get it right!
Ah, but Rob, I want to transfer a gun to my girlfriend who does live in D.C. That's a pretty straight forward test case. And if he is not in the business of selling guns, then BATFE should yank his license.
That is _exactly_ the scenario I had in mind if he had answered and/or by chance does return my call.
I do not have to be a DC resident and I am not inquiring to make any purchase. He's an FFL which is a licensed transfer point, not just a dealer/seller. Half my family lives in DC never mind many of my friends.
I am willing to prove a point and setup transfer of one of my own personal firearms to that of a family member or friend, who is a DC resident, via Mr. Schumann if he does return my call and make like he'd want to take steps forward for real. Hell I'd shoulder the cost too, shipping and FFL fees 100%.
Did you realize that you have certified to the government that your FFL is a "principal source of livelihood and profit?" No? Try reading:
18 USC Sec. 921 01/02/2006
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 44 - FIREARMS
-HEAD-
Sec. 921. Definitions
-STATUTE-
(11) The term "dealer" means
(A) any person engaged in the business of selling firearms at wholesale or retail,
(B)any person engaged in the business of repairing firearms or of making or fitting special barrels, stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms, or
(C) any person who is a pawnbroker. The term "licensed dealer" means any dealer who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
(21) The term "engaged in the business" means -
(A) as applied to a manufacturer of firearms, a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the firearms manufactured;
(B) as applied to a manufacturer of ammunition, a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing ammunition as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the ammunition manufactured;
(C) as applied to a dealer in firearms, as defined in section 921(a)(11)(A), a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms, but such term shall not include a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms;
(D) as applied to a dealer in firearms, as defined in section 921(a)(11)(B), a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to engaging in such activity as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit, but such term shall not include a person who makes occasional repairs of firearms, or who occasionally fits special barrels, stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms;
(E) as applied to an importer of firearms, a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to importing firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the firearms imported; and
(F) as applied to an importer of ammunition, a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to importing ammunition as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the ammunition imported.
(22) The term "with the principal objective of livelihood and profit" means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining livelihood and pecuniary gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a personal firearms collection: Provided, That proof of profit shall not be required as to a person who engages in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "terrorism" means activity, directed against United States persons, which -
(A) is committed by an individual who is not a national or permanent resident alien of the United States;
(B) involves violent acts or acts dangerous to human life which would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States; and
(C) is intended -
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping.
A license issued under this part confers no right or privilege to conduct business or activity contrary to State or other law. The holder of such a license is not by reason of the rights and privileges granted by that license immune from punishment for operating a firearm or ammunition business or activity in violation of the provisions of any State or other law. Similarly, compliance with the provisions of any State or other law affords no immunity under Federal law or regulations.
Either move there with as much or inherit them from a relative who was a resident back when there were gun shops in DC before the first ban in '72 or as many have done they purchased them illegally in MD or VA and have been sitting on them for years in their home as an 'Open Only In Case of Emergency' type escape tool.
The DC po-po have a 30 minute to 3 day response time which leaves one more than enough time to 'dispose' of said longgun (or handgun) upon use prior to Johnny Law showing up to ask questions and take names. In D.C. due to law and circumstance firearms are largely disposable and commodity items to which most all possessors are and have long been criminalized regardless of intent.
Does that not give them full access to the NICS??? :comeandgetsome:
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Defensive Carry
5.4M posts
117.5K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to defensive firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about everyday carry, optics, holsters, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!