Active military, moving to Washington DC area, have questions (areas, guns etc.)

[Dave88LX]

Hey all,

My wife and I are both active duty military (USAF). Right now we're stationed at Goodfellow AFB, TX. Both converted legal residences to Texas. Texas is pretty cool with their gun laws as most all of you know.

I got an assignment to Ft. Meade, Maryland, and her job is going to be at Walter Reed Medical Center, within DC. We are currently trying to figure out where we should look for a house. Looking in the up to ~$400,000 range (costs suck up there, about what it costs for a 3BR 2BA 2-car garage in a nice area). Her work is in the north "corner" of DC, mine is slightly NorthEast of the DC diamond.

I don't know if we want to look in Virginia or Maryland. I know Maryland is a super PITA when it comes to CHL/CCW laws. However, I don't know if there are good areas in Virginia in which we could afford to live that's not 50-60 miles away; plus we would have to drive through DC traffic to get to work, or take the long way around. We might just stick to Anne Arundel, Montgomery, or one other county in Maryland.

Also, in a dangerous city (from what I can gather?) it'd be nice to be able to carry, but of course you can't carry onto a miltary base. What do you military folk do who live in a dangerous area do when driving to/from work? Just leave your gun at home?

Thanks for any insight or advice! And whoever's from the area that has anything to offer about the area.

- Dave

 

[Smurfslayer]

Depends on what you want. The housing market around NoVA is pretty depressed now, nobody's getting asking price anymore. Avg market time for a SFH is about 40-50 days. At 400, you could possibly get some Fairfax county townhouses, maybe a couple SFH, but not big ones that's for sure. Woodbridge / Dale City may have some more affordable houses, but they're further down 95...

Traffic is a major league PITA here, and since you'll be going in town, it's going to suck, period. I know a house on my street near Mount Vernon sold for 475 within the month. That's a SFH with 1/2 acre of land, 3 or 4 br, 1.5 bath. 50's era house, but solidly build with no obvious problems.

MD real estate is generally cheaper for the same house, but, they have the highest closing costs in America and they are no cheaper on state taxes than VA. MD has a higher gas tax, but no yearly car inspection like VA, no personal property tax like VA. MD counties levy a "surtax" on top of the state tax. All the counties close to DC have 55% or higher surtax. VA on the other hand has lower gas tax and cost generally, IMO a much better online presence for the DMV, lower fees, etc. I lost track of MD gun laws 7 years ago, way to complicated. You can get a feel for real estate prices at www.realtor.com

HTH

 

[Jim K]

You have zero chance of getting a CCW license in DC, and next to zero in MD. In DC you can't even own a handgun unless it was registered before 1976, and you can't own a long gun unless you keep it disassembled and inoperative at all times.

VA would be much better, but I would avoid Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax Counties both for expense and on the gun issue.

The trouble is that from a practical viewpoint, commuting from VA into DC or to Ft. Meade every day would be hell on you, the car and the gas bill. From a lot of Northern VA there is Metro to Walter Reed, bu there is no practical public transportation to Ft. Meade from the DC/VA area. Another problem is that recent BRACs are going to send a lot of people from Northern VA to Ft. Meade, so the traffic will become much worse. (Don't those "master planners" ever think to look at a map?)

Being realistic, I would have to suggest trying to find some place in Howard or Anne Arundel Counties, fairly close to Ft. Meade. Montgomery County is very expensive and extremely anti-gun, with police that reflect that attitude.

WRAMC is now in DC, but that same round of BRACs is going to close it and transfer its functions to an annex of the NNMC in Bethesda, in Montgomery County, MD. That could be good news for you but I am not sure when the move is to take place.

The good news is that the roads in that area are pretty good; the bad news is that they are almost always crowded, often long, thin parking lots. An economy car is a good idea unless you are independently wealthy.

HTH

Jim

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

heck

if you don't mind train rides you can go further south i live about 50 miles south and commuted for 8 years.i love where i live and got rid of commute. i am a former marylander and even montgomery county has issues nowadays

 

[Dave88LX]

Yeah I think NoVA is going to be too far of a commute, especially having to go all the way around DC to get up to Meade. We will be looking at Anne Arundel, Howard, and Montgomery (as a last resort) counties. Hopefully be able to make some money in the area if we sell in a few years too.

Next to zero percent of a CCW in MD? So you're saying there's a chance! That's basically what I heard about the place too.

So basically, I could carry a 1911 so long as it was registered before 1910?

I have no economy car (I drive a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel, or my Mustang, but I've got a GSX-R 600 too I hope to be able to ride a lot there); wife drives a Toyota Echo though. Definitely not wealthy by any means.

I did pick up my first handgun last night, SA XD9 4". Haven't gotten a chance to shoot yet, but hopefully tonight. Might go for my CHL this weekend so I can at least carry in most the rest of the country incl VA when I get there. She has family in Richmond.

 

[K-Romulus]

lots of MD issues for you

Can't have handgun in car unless actually in the act of driving to/from range or gun store.

Can't possess a listed "assault pistol" in the state, or face felony charge.

Better buy an AR15 if you think you might want one, because they may get banned this spring.

I would stay in Anne Arundel county if I were you for housing costs and fewer blissninnies.

One bright side is that active duty can join the Meade Rifle/Pistol Club and have access nearly on-demand to the base ranges. Civilians (like me) only get limited access (once a month) through the Mead Rond & Gun Club.

 

[stevelyn]

I'd turn down orders for the assignment.

 

[The Amigo]

Most

Most military bases have unloading barrels and 4-6 gun safes at the main gate. I pack every day i just stop at the gate unload and lock the gun in the safe and keep key. The gun will be guarded 24h since theirs always a security person there. Once I'm done at work i do the same on the way out. Don't risk being caught with a gun on base most bases do random searches as you know. And you will be subject to UCMJ. Hell I had a Commanding Officer who was a gun lover and let us take the guns aboard the ship to do skeet shooting of the stern of the ship in the old days... Talk to your new station security person in charge and they shall point you the right way. Now dealing with state laws is another issue..:banghead:

 

[ZeSpectre]

Simplest form.

1) DC=NO LEGAL CARRY FOR CIVILIANS
2) MD=Essentially no legal carry for civilians (unless on way to/from gun club)
3) Metro DC Traffic = SUCKS PERIOD! I live in Arlington, 5 miles from where I work in DC and my average commute via Metro is 45 minutes.
4) NoVA Housing=condos or rentals unless you want to spend to the bone.

I LOVE Virginia, but NOT NoVA (Northern Virginia) I.E. the "Metro DC" area. I've been here 16 years and the wife and I are moving the hell out to the Shenandoah valley area in July.

I'm with those who'd say decline the transfer if you can.

 

[nate392]

You as a gunowner are kinda screwed living or going thru DC. There Firearms Control Regulations Act requires that firearms kept at home be rendered useless for protection by being “unloaded, disassembled, or bound by a trigger lock or similar device.” . It requires that all privately owned firearms be registered, and prohibited possession of a handgun not registered with city police prior to Sept. 24, 1976 Don't try defending yourself either, most of the time you will be considered the guilty one especially with a firearm.
Until laws there is repealed, and the crime rates go down, I would recommomend living in VA but close for a close commute. Sry bud, and hey thanks for serving our country. It's sad that Military people working for freedoms can't even enjoy them in our our capital.

 

[Threeband]

Greetings from Carroll County, Maryland, a Red County in a Blue State.

You've gotten some good advice.

Northern Va. is out, unless you plan on spending many hours every week stuck on the D.C. beltway.

Anne Arundel probably is your best bet, but Howard is nice. Montgomery would be last on my list. Super-liberal, way overpriced, gun shows are banned: it's a mess.

As for concealed carry, it's theoretrically possible, but you must demonstrate need. If you carry large sums of money or jewels as part of your business, you might be able to get one, but even then, expect a long uphill fight. There would be several interviews, months of background checks, red tape, and you'd probably have to go through several appeals after being turned down.
And that's assuming you can demonstrate need. If you tell them, "I just moved here from Texas, and I want to carry a pistol," oh boy, CROWDS of LEOs will come running to laugh at you. They'll be talking about you for YEARS. I'm sorry, but I think it's true.

On the other hand, I've heard of people who are well-connected with Democratic politicians getting permits literally overnight, without even asking.
So if you cultivate the right friends...

All this demonstrates why the "SHALL ISSUE" provision is so important in modern CCW laws.

If you get a permit in another state, it would not be valid here, and probably not in Virginia. It could cause problems here.

A guy from Pennsylvania called in to the Ron Smith talk show on WBAL (google him: he's the best thing going here) with this horror story: Guy has a Pennsylvania permit, but being law-savvy, he NEVER carries in Maryland. He got pulled over by a MD trooper, who runs the routine computer check.

Computer has him RED-FLAGGED because of the carry permit.

Trooper demands to know if he's carrying. Guy politely explains that he isn't: he knows and obeys the law. Trooper asks to search his car. Guy knows his rights, he politely refuses.

More cops arrive. Pennsylvanian is told they are getting a search warrent. They can and will keep him right there on the side of the road for as long as it takes, but they WILL get the warrent, and they WILL search his car. After a while, he gives in and surrenders his constitutional rights, and the cops procede with their unreasonable search, finding nothing, of course.

If you do move here, forget about a carry permit. Buy as many handguns as you can before you come: we have "ballistic fingerprinting" which means de facto registration and possibly long waiting periods. There's a list of banned "Saturday Night Specials" also. Assault pistols are banned. All AR 15s EXCEPT the Colt HBAR are subject to handgun-type waiting periods. An assault rifle ban is rumored.

Large capacity magazines (I think over 20 rounds?) can't be sold, but are legal to possess. So buy 'em in Texas.

Maryland is a BEAUTIFULL state ( I lived 8 years in Texas), and this part of the country has SO much to offer, but...

Maryland is a one-party/ one-newspaper state, with a long reputation as one of the most politically corrupt states in the country. A huge percentage have government jobs, which makes for prosperity, but so many have no concept of free-market reality. Folks here believe Government is the Answer. And they know they're smarter/better educated/ more enlightened/ more highly evolved/ kinder, gentler, and more PROGRESSIVE, dammit, than those inbred rednecks in fly-over country. Also more tolerant.

The recommendation that you turn down the transfer was very good advice.
It pains me to say it, because there is so much to love about this area, but I'd like to get out of here myself someday. Maybe Virginia or North Carolina.
But not Texas. I lived there for eight years, thank you. (Too dang hot and brown).

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

If you don't mind commuting try the MARC or VRE trains. If you live around Leesburg Va you're still close enough to use the MARC trains. I know of a couple Pentagon people that live out in West Virginia. I catch the MARC train at Point of Rocks go to Union Station then catch the metro, 75 minutes later which includes an 45 minute nap and I'm at my desk downtown D.C.. Much better than driving and cost me $240/month

To Walter Reed
The Metro is Washington's modern subway system. The Takoma Metrorail Station, about eight blocks east of the Walter Reed installation, is the nearest Metro stop, while Silver Spring Metrorail Station is about 1.2 miles north of Walter Reed. Both stations connect the area with downtown, suburban Maryland, northern Virginia, the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport. Below are buses that serve these stations as well as the Columbia Heights Metrorail and Georgia Avenue/Petworth Stations. Maryland's Commuter Rail Line, the MARC, is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro Station. Both MARC Trains and Virginia's VRE Trains can be reached via the Red Line Metrorail from Takoma Station.

-MetroBuses 52, 53, 54 operate all day to/from Takoma Metro Station and stop at the corner of Butternut Street and Georgia Avenue. They also travel southbound (via Aspen to 14th Street) to the Columbia Heights Metro Station (Green Line) and downtown Washington via 14th Street.


To get to Ft. Meade

By Commuter Rail
A direct connection between the Metro and Amtrak rail service (as well as MARC and VRE trains) is available at Washington's Union Station. The Silver Spring Metrorail Station (accessible by the 70/71 bus, see above) is a short walk from the Silver Spring MARC Station.

MARC TRAINS: This website gives complete information about commuter trains from Maryland into DC. Brunswick Line runs from Martinsburg, WV and from Frederick, MD into Union Station, Camden Line runs from Baltimore into Union Station, and the Penn Line runs from Perryville, MD into Union Station. Includes info on the Transit Link card, which allows unlimited DC metro and bus use on a monthly basis. Includes info on commuter bus service from MD to DC.
http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/
For a map of MARC train routes go to:
http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/schedulesSystemMaps/marcTrainSystemMap.cfm#stations

VRE TRAINS: This website offers information on Virginia’s commuter trains into DC – furthest stations from DC are in Bristow and Fredericksburg, VA. Also includes links to DC metro and bus transfers.
http://www.vre.org/
For a map of VRE train routes go to:
http://www.vre.org/service/systmmp.htm

 

[Leatherneck]

I live down by Quantico and have commuted to the Pentagon for 25 years. My morning commute is 0545-0630 without fail: 45 minutes after I pull out of my driveway I'm at the Puzzle Palace. HOV lanes are the key. Either van pools (my solution) or slugging gets the same advantages. There are planty of 10-25 year old 3 or 4 BR houses for a $400K-$450K right now.

Virginia is far, far RKBA-friendly than MD. The only other possibility would be southern PA, but that's a long haul to Ft. Meade.

TC

 

[Steelcore]

Walter Reed is in a black ghetto.If you are white you REALLY don't want to be walking thru that area.I vote for turing down the assignment.

 

[jaysouth]

Volunteer for Iraq.

 

[Dave88LX]

Walter Reed is in a black ghetto.If you are white you REALLY don't want to be walking thru that area.I vote for turing down the assignment.

Now that made me laugh. Turning down the assignment isn't really an option. The USAF is moving to kick I believe 55K people out, because they need more money for planes or some crap. Turning down an assignment makes you ineligible for re-enlistment, and you get to go on your own way after your 4-6 years.

Wife will be at Walter Reed, I'll be at Ft. Meade, and yes we're both white. Except she's Italian, so in the summer, if she does her hair right, she might be able to blend in slightly.

Lunchtime...I'll finish my post later.

 

[grnzbra]

I don't really know about MD gun laws but from all the posts, they seem similar to NJ. In NJ you don't get a CCW unless you are Tony Sopranno. I live in Burke, VA which is in Fairfax county. If the Metro subway system stops near where you are going, commuting is OK. But don't count on the VRE. VRE is a "gentlemen's" railroad that takes you on a leisurly ride through the country side with train that run every half hour (at least on the line I used). I lasted 4 days doing that (VRE from Burke to Union Station in DC and Metro from Union Station to Bethesda). Now I drive and deal with the traffiic. 24 mile drive takes about an hour. (But I have a ham radio in the car so I don't notice it as much as if I just had to listen to traffic reports on the radio). By the way, the people here have no idea how to drive. Worst problem is tailgating - you may be able to stop, but the guy behind you might not. So you leave plenty of room between you and the guy ahead of you. So you get people jumping in ahead of you which really annoys the guy behind you so he tailgates you even closer. Every morning before I leave the house I listen to the morning news to find out where the mornings accidents (and murders - DC and MD, rare in VA) are.

Two years ago, when my wife had an application in to one of those three letter agencies in DC, I applied for a VA non res CCW and got it. When I moved to Fairfax, I went to the courthouse with my DD-214 and the lady took my application (downloadable online) and made a copy of the DD-214 and I had the permit about 2 weeks later. No problem at all. Didn't even show them my non-res CCW.

The only problem I've found with CCW in NoVA is it is so easy to make decide to make a quick trip to DC for some reason. Kinda awkward telling your wife that before we go to DC for dinner, we need to go home to get rid of the hardware.

 

[tincat2]

dc commute

the traffic is the killer around dc. guns a flat nono in dc. you can have guns in md(va. is out here because of the commute-make a couple of practice runs from nova to meade or wramc at rush hour[430am-1030am and 300pm-8pm] and decide for yourself),but you can't be in any way casual with them. the subway is a pain, but is workable as are the trains. a good buddy of mine lives a couple of blocks off ga. ave. at the beltway in a 3br w/single garage that he told me 2yrs ago was worth 325k according to comps in the area. he is on a cul de sac w/several similar houses. howard cty is getting expensive and seems to attract a blissninny crowd. anne arundel cty comes over as far as laurel and has a lot of rural area left to it(going fast and getting expensive). annapolis has many options and the county has liquor sales 7 days a week(i always liked that about the place even though i don't drink much if at all any more). i believe you'll have less trouble getting to ft. meade every day than your wife will have getting to reed, so throw that in the mix. personally, i would consider dc itself if it weren't for the gun thing-there are some nice houses on upper 16th st(walter reed vicinity) and you are close to silver spring and rock creek park(when i was a kid we looked at a place on alaska ave.(across from reed) that was solid ,stately, and reasonably priced. we went to davidsonville(aa county) instead for more land at a time when commuting was a reasonable alternative. this is all so much blather,i know, but the point is to do some looking around and some research relative to your personal needs and wants. good luck.

 

[SSN Vet]

I'd turn down orders for the assignment.

that's funny....

the last time I checked they were called orders and not recommendations.

But then again, the Air Farce may be different.

Look on the bright side.....guns are illegal in D.C. so you've got nothing to worry about.

 

[Dave88LX]

Haha yes, they're called "orders" in the Chair Force too.

I had an assignment to Ft. Bragg, but the wifey couldn't get an assignment at Pope or Seymour Johnson, so mine got cancelled.

She'll be doing Forensics Photography, she should have a pretty interesting job.

 

[Cuda]

I've lived in MD.and VA. and worked in DC.. Left and will never go back. Northern VA. no traffic terrible. Guns and MD/DC don't mix.

Good luck though and thanks for your service.

C

 

[byf43]

I won't repost what Threeband wrote, but, he is spot on. Every detail is on the money. GREAT post!!!

From what we affectionately call 'Southern' Maryland, welcome to our state!

Charles County is a great place to live, IF you can tolerate the commute.
Ft. Meade is straight up Rte. 301/3/97 (all the same piece of asphalt with different route number designations). Hey, it's Maryland. Go figure!
WRAMC is on the other side of town, but, it's not too bad of a commute.

I've been commuting into Washington, DC for 33+ years, now. Right into the 'armpit' of the city.

Traffic is a headache no matter where you move to, in the area.
If it rains or snows, be prepared for drivers that panic at the first sign of a snowflake or a drop of rain. Commute times will increase. Period.

As for shooting facilities, there are several on this side of the Capital Beltway (Rte. 95/495). There are Sportsman's Clubs, Rod and Gun Clubs and there's even an indoor range, not too far from Andrews AFB.

From what I understand, any firearm that you own before moving into the state, you keep and don't have to register. If that is incorrect, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will correct me.

Again. . . welcome to the area.

 

[kbsrn]

Been there, Done that

We transfered to Andews. We lived in the base housing located by the football stadium. Lasted one year. Then moved to Stafford Va. MUCH, MUCH better. Long drive, but when you got home it was a great place to be, inside the beltway in PG is not. You could not pay me enough to live inside the beltway again.

 

[tinygnat219]

The DC area ain't so bad.
Here's some tips:

1. Get a car with a comfy driving seat. With the traffic tieups around here, you will need it and be glad that ass is in a comfy place.

2. Buy a big car or truck. It's kind of needed around here with all the slow idiotic drivers in MD. In Northern VA, they just don't signal and flip you off.

3. Buy the guns you want now in TX, MD has some of the worst restrictions in the country and they have voluntary legislation.

4. Rent a place in Anne Arundel county, it's in between Ft. Meade, and DC. Makes for an easier commute, and has less crime than Prince George's County.

5. Prince George's County, you might want to NOT live here if possible. It's affectionately known as Ward 9 (b/c a lot of people from DC went there when Barry was in power), and has had a corrupt police force. Oh yeah, their No. 2 Homeland Security guy just shot two furniture delivery guys for no reason (at least that's been determined).

Now that the bad stuff is out about this area, here's some GOOD things:

1. The NRA is in Fairfax VA, with an indoor 50 yard range that will take anything up to a .458 or something like that. It's a NICE facility. Their firearms museum is also worth spending a Saturday looking at.

2. MD has some NICE ranges, the Saint Charles County Shooting Club has some nice details, and so do the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore.

3. VA has some NICE gunshows.

4. The Chesapeake Bay is REAL close to you, and there are many wonderful ways to spend some time on the ocean. Ocean not for you? Then we have some "mountains" are nice, clean and friendly.

It's not all doom and gloom, and look at it this way, when you get re-stationed to Andrews Air Force base, move to Northern VA (it's still VA despite being Blue), and go hog wild on guns from all the cash you saved on them from living in MD.

Good luck, we get lots of soldiers coming through this area, and they are always blown away by what doesn't get done at the Puzzle Palace complex in DC. If nothing else, welcome.

 

[cyco668]

a little off topic but...
everyone is complaining about MD's gun laws. I didn't have any problems buying a shotgun, a couple of rifles (including an SKS), or handguns. When my brother-in-law shot the neighbors cat with a 12 gauge, he got a ticket for animal cruelty and a $50 fine for illegal discharge of a firearm. All this in PG County. Alot of friends and neighbors seem to be able to buy handguns with no problems (legally too). One day, in PG County, a friend was showing us his new shotgun. We were in the parking lot of his apartment complex. A police officer kindly suggested we take it inside because of the kids who were playing nearby. DC and PGC are definitely high-crime areas, and there are strict gun laws, but MD is not completely oppressive. I've seen plenty of deer hunters open carry handguns all over MD, including PGC. Plus handgun hunting is legal.

back on topic.. check out the Bowie and Laurel areas. Upper Marlboro may also be an option. If you move to NoVa, be prepared to spend hours commuting. I don't think Va is a good option if you're going to be at Meade.
Where ever you end up, make sure you visit the Chesapeake Bay. And you definitely gotta get yourself a few bushels of crabs. Crabs are to Maryland as beef is to Texas.