handgun FAQs

From: Santiago, Marco (MPD)
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 8:12 AM
To: Santiago, Marco (MPD)
Subject: [MPD-3d] Impact on the Court Ruling in DC v. Heller

In the coming days the District of Columbia will be implementing new rules
and regulations regarding the Supreme Court decision in the District of
Columbia v. Heller (handgun) case. The Supreme Court ruled that residents
will be allowed to possess handguns in their homes. It is critical that all
Metropolitan Police Department members know the immediate impact of this
ruling:

* All Firearms including handguns must be registered with the
Metropolitan Police Department's Firearms Registration Section before they
may be legally possessed.
* Automatic and semi-automatic handguns remain ineligible for
registration.
* The Supreme Court's ruling is limited to handguns in the home and
does not affect the legality of firearms carried outside of the home.
* The Metropolitan Police Department will urge residents that do
obtain licenses to carry weapons in the home to also keep that weapon either
disassembled or secured with a locking device (not a current legal
requirement).

Resources

* District <http://dc.gov/mayor/news/release.asp?id=1325&mon=200806>
Government Reacts to Heller Ruling (Press Release, 6/26/08)
* Firearms
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/frames.asp?doc=/mpdc/lib/mpdc/info/pdf/firearms
_registraton_req.pdf> Registration Requirements*
* Registering
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/frames.asp?doc=/mpdc/lib/mpdc/info/pdf/register
ing_firearm_dc.pdf> a Firearm in the District of Columbia* (Brochure)
* Data:
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/frames.asp?doc=/mpdc/lib/mpdc/info/pdf/dc_crime
swithguns_062708.pdf> Crimes with Guns* (CY 1998 - YTD through 6/26/08)
* Gun
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565456,mpdcNav_GID,1549,mpdcN
av,|.asp> Safety Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Registering a Firearm

1. What <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#1#1>
happens now?
2. Can <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#2#2>
people go out and get handguns right now? If not, when will they be able to
do it?
3. What <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#3#3>
can people do right now?
4. Will <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#4#4>
there be restrictions on who can register a handgun?
5. Are <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#5#5>
there restrictions on what kinds of handguns residents will be able to
register and possess?
6. What <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#6#6>
other restrictions will there be on handguns?
7. What <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#7#7>
will you do about residents who already own handguns despite the handgun
ban?
8. Can <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#8#8>
people register as many handguns as they like?
9. Under <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#9#9>
existing law can District residents use properly registered firearms in
lawful self-defense in their homes?
10. How <http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#10#10>
does one go about registering a firearm?

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50

What Happens Now?

The Supreme Court will formally issue its mandate within the next month,
possibly as early as July 17, 2008. The U.S. Court of Appeals will then
send the case to the U.S. District Court to enter an injunction. The
injunction is the court order that will officially prevent the District
government from enforcing the handgun ban. That process may take a few
months. Within 21 days, the Metropolitan Police Department will promulgate
regulations to accommodate the process of registering handguns for lawful
possession.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

Can people go out and get handguns right now?
If not, when will they be able to do it?

No. Residents may not go out and get handguns, though they will soon be
able to do so. There is further court action before the Supreme Court's
decision is implemented and the handgun ban is officially lifted, though
that should happen within the next few months. It should be emphasized that
even after the handgun ban is lifted, those who wish to possess handguns
will first be required to register them with the Metropolitan Police
Department, as they must do with all firearms, in order for the possession
to be legal. Furthermore, under the Supreme Court's decision, possession of
properly registered handguns will still be legal only in one's own home.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

What can people do right now?

Although people cannot yet register handguns for legal possession in the
home, they will be able to do so soon, and the District government will
fully comply with the Supreme Court's decision. Residents should wait for
the regulations that the Metropolitan Police Department will prepare within
the next 21 days for further instructions. In the meantime, if residents
have specific questions, they may contact the Firearms Registration Section
of the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9490 or visit the
Department's website at www.mpdc.dc.gov/gunregistration.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

Will there be restrictions on who can register a handgun?

Yes, under District law that the Supreme Court did not disturb, someone who
seeks to register any firearm must meet certain requirements. Among these
are that the would-be registrant must be 21 years of age and cannot have
been convicted of a felony or other crime of violence or weapons crime, or
have been committed to a mental hospital within the past five years.
Registrants also must be fingerprinted and pass a test regarding knowledge
of District gun laws.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

Are there restrictions on what kinds of handguns residents will be able to
register and possess?

Yes, under District law that the Supreme Court did not disturb, automatic
and semi-automatic handguns generally may not be registered. Revolvers in
the home will be legal and, as before, residents remain free to register
most shotguns and rifles. Those with questions about specific firearms
should contact the Firearms Registration Section of the Metropolitan Police
Department at (202) 727-9490 or visit the Department's website at
www.mpdc.dc.gov/gunregistration.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

What other restrictions will there be on handguns?

The new rules will allow handgun possession in the home only, and only by
those who properly register their handguns with the Metropolitan Police
Department. The Supreme Court has not altered the legality of carrying
handguns outside the home. Given the potentially tragic consequences of
storing a firearm without a trigger lock, residents are strongly urged to
utilize such locks which may be obtained free of charge from the
Metropolitan Police Department.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

What will you do about residents who already own handguns despite the
handgun ban?

The District government will establish an amnesty program under which they
can register their handguns without fear of prosecution for having possessed
a handgun in violation of District law. Of course, the program will not
protect anyone who committed a separate crime under District or Federal law
with that handgun.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

Can people register as many handguns as they like?

The forthcoming regulations to be issued by the Metropolitan Police
Department will answer questions such as how many weapons residents can
register, and will likely limit registrants at least initially to one
handgun each.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

Under existing law can District residents use properly registered firearms
in lawful self-defense in their homes?

Yes.

cid:image001.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>
cid:image002.gif@01C8DA88.FAA9AB50
<http://mpdc.dev.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1237,q,565463.asp#top#top>

How does one go about registering a firearm?

For the specific details on how to register a firearm, residents should
contact the Firearms Registration Section of the Metropolitan Police
Department at (202) 727-9490 or visit the Department's website at
www.mpdc.dc.gov/gunregistration.

Diluvian Bloomingdale

I was out of town last week when we had that crazy storm so i missed all the water and flooded streets.
A neighbor sent this email and photos concerning Rhode Island Avenue


Bloomingdale is Drowning!


Okay, so that's hyperbole, but seriously, what's up with our Department of Public Works and WASA that they refuse to fix the storm drain on Rhode Island Ave on the east bound side just before 1st ST NW in front of houses 120 and 122?

From about 8pm Wednesday nignt until 11am Thursday morning it looked like the attached pics.

Cars were struggling to get through. What if an ambulance was trying to get to Washington Hospital Center and couldn't because of this ridiculous amount of water?

I called WASA emergency several times (the lady was nice and trying to be helpful) and they finally sent a street sweeper to attempt to clear debris around midnight. Despite 30 minutes of effort, the street sweeper was unsuccessful.

I've come to learn that neighbors have repeatedly called WASA about this storm drain being clogged with trash and leaves, yet they have not cleared it yet. I was out of town for the Saturday storms of May 31 but I hear the same thing happened as on Wednesday night which is when I took the pics.

I figure if we can get this info in a public forum maybe the storm drain can get cleared properly and stop putting our houses at risk for serious and damaging flooding.

Thanks for your time,
Ryan


Then i received this update


I sent basically that same email and all the same pictures to the Public Affairs Director at WASA, Michele Quander-Collins shortly after emailing you. She responded quickly, told me they'd send a crew out that same day, and sure enough my wife watched them come out, get the man hole cover off the storm drain and pull tons of leaves and debris out of the catch drain and the rest of the sewer.

Obviously last night (Wed) it rained extremely hard again. The drain worked great. The water never breached the curb. Bravo to WASA on the quick response. I think it is just as important to highlight when the system works properly.

It is also proof that continued community involvement by the people of Bloomingdale and constructive, rational inteaction with our city officials is the best way to improve our little corner of the city.

Thanks for all you do in keeping us up to date on the neighborhood.

Take care,
Ryan

street sweeping resumes

Starting tomorrow, street sweeping will resume. remember to shuffle your cars accordingly.

Officer of Cultural Tourism DC's Neighborhood Heritage Trail

See this message from Bloomingdale Civic Association President Cassandra Costley:


Ledroit Park and Bloomingdale have a wonderful opportunity to become a tour of choice in a city of wonderful touring options. Earlier this month the Executive Committee of the Bloomingdale Civic Association had dinner with Ledroit Park Civic Association president Robert Sullivan, ANC 5-C Commissioner John Salatti, and Jane Freundal-Levy, Chief Program Officer of Cultural Tourism DC's Neighborhood Heritage Trail to discuss how that could happen. Ms. Levy and her assistant explained the process by which Ledroit Park and Bloomingdale can become part of the city's ever expanding network of neighborhood heritage trails.

Those who don't already know about these trails can go to www.culturaltourismdc.org to learn more. Completed trails bring positive attention to the neighborhoods they grace. The process of putting the trails
together brings neighborhoods together to talk, to research, to learn, to listen, and to laugh. Long-time residents get an opportunity to preserve for posterity all the things they have loved about the place they live. Newer residents get a chance to do research on their new home and to meet neighbors they might otherwise never get a chance to befriend. "Building" these trails has given whole communities an opportunity to learn more about their physical space and the people who once lived there. If you'd like to capture a bit of that magic for Bloomingdale and yourself, please volunteer to support this effort when the collaboration with Ledroit Park begins in May.

No particular skills or abilities are required. An abiding interest in people, history, and storytelling will come in handy. Otherwise, we'll find something for you to do if you can walk, talk, cough, or smell nice. We'll use the time between now and when our collaboration begins to plan how to involve everyone in our community who wants to play a role and to determine how to collect all of the stories of all of those who have stories to tell.

Email us at BloomingdaleCA @ gmail.com to volunteer, ask questions, or comment on this initiative.

Thanks,

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

WHAT: Ward 5 Community Assessment
We are going door-to-door in the Ward 5 Focus Improvement Area, to ensure that all residents are informed about this initiative and have access to government services.

WHEN: Saturday, March 8th, 11:30am-2:30pm

WHERE: Meeting location is the Harry Thomas Recreation Center, all volunteers should meet here at 11:30 for a briefing. We will start the canvassing at Noon.

CONTACT: Please contact LaToya Moore 202-330-2894 OR by email latoya.moore@dc.gov

EC-12: Is there a restaurateur in the house?

Here is a sad and frustrating message from Konrad Schlater, Special Assistant in the
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

All:

We had hoped to close on the sale of the fire station to NextGen Development by the end of the 2007. Unfortunately, due to lack of performance by the developer under our sale contract we did not proceed to closing on the sale as planned.

The developer has been spending a lot of time, money, and effort to push this project forward. However, the developer has failed to execute an agreement and lease with a restaurant operator - a necessary pre-condition for our sale of the building. As you may know, the original proposed operator, Mike Benson, moved back to North Carolina and abandoned the project a little over a year ago leaving the developer without a restaurant operator. Over the past two months, NextGen has been in serious negotiations with Twyla Garrett of IME Services, an LSDBE firm headquartered on North Capitol Street, to act as the restaurant operator. Ms. Garrett is just now preparing to open a restaurant with a very similar restaurant concept in Cleveland, Ohio. I have spoken with IME Services and they are very serious about this project.

Due to NextGen's failure to meet their commitments to the District under the sales contract, we have notified them that they are in default of our contract. The developer has 30 days to cure its default under the agreement. If the developer is not prepared to close on the sale, the District will have the option to terminate the agreement, restructure the terms, or find an alternative solution. It is our sincere hope that we can proceed to closing on the sale with the developer shortly. Brian Brown of NextGen Development has already completed designs for the project, obtained permits for the exterior work on the building, and lined up the necessary financing - and we are tantalizingly close to starting construction work on the firehouse. A deal between NextGen Development and IME Services represents the best hope for a prompt and successful development of the firehouse.

I can assure you that the Deputy Mayor's office along with Councilmember Thomas and his staff have been giving this project close attention and we will not take our eye off the ultimate goal, which is removing the blight of the abandoned building and replacing it with high quality neighborhood-serving retail.

I'd be happy to provide ANC5C with an update any time. Please give me a call if you have any questions about this email or the project generally.

Thanks,

Konrad Schlater
Special Assistant
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
(w) 202-727-6934

"the largest affordable housing project in DC"

metro urban diary has a post about St Martins housing project.
you need to see this one.

howard town center

everything is a center, huh?


look here for info about the "center" thats going in at georgia and v street.



"center of the universe"
by Roger Cutler

This Saturday in Bloomingdale

Fun Day-Health & Information Fair, Saturday, 6/9/2007 12PM- 4PM

Please be advised that there will be a schedule of significant events taking place at the pocket park on First Street and Florida Avenue, N.W. on Saturday, 6/9/2007.

Specifically, Mayor Fenty's Office of Constituent Relations and Services, the Fifth District Police, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5C- SMD 5C01, and the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., are co-sponsoring an afternoon of fun and educational opportunity.

In addition to a challenge match in basketball between officers from the Fifth District Police and local youngsters, the DC Office of Employment Services will have its mobile van on site to provide information on and referrals to jobs that are now available across the region; the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department will be there to provide information on health and fire safety; Amerigroup has been invited to participate and will organize a series of health screenings that will be made available to those who attend (free of charge); the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will organize a number of fun activities for youths; of course, there will be refreshments; and the special guest for this event will be Ward Five Council Member Harry (Tommy) Thomas, Jr.



also, that really big yard sale.

photos of dc neighborhoods

these are some fhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.giflickr groups for different hoods around the city.

Columbia Heights
Mount Pleasant
Eastern Market
Shaw
Mount Vernon Triangle
Cleveland Park
Chinatown
Rock Creek Park
The Zoo


and BLOOMINGDALE!

any others i should add?

broken city

an article about broken fire hydrants

A stepped-up inspection of D.C. fire hydrants is finding that nearly 10 percent don't work, fire union officials said yesterday

10%? how is that remotely acceptable?

even Bloomingdale gets a mention


In the Bloomingdale neighborhood, at Flagler Place and V Street NW, a lime-green hydrant had a collar yesterday that read "Maintenance Required," to the dismay of Maxine Sumner-Clark, who lives a half-block away. She said several vacant homes in the area have caught fire in recent years, and there is a construction site across from the hydrant -- even more reason, she said, to have a fully functioning fire hydrant on the corner.

i'm dumbfounded by what i just saw

a street sweeper/ vacuum truck just went through my ALLEY.

and not to just hang out with company as the verizon truck often does, but actually to clean my alley.

i have never seen this before.


thanks dc government.