Student From DC

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learn2shoot

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I got a call from a student who is moving from VA to DC (not my advice). She is ex-military and has shot a rifle, so is thinking of a rifle for personal protection because she is moving to a not so good area. She contends she is looking for a refresher course. I am really concerned about teaching this class, my concerns include the fact that any rifle in DC must be stored disassembled, and unloaded... I will not advocate to her to break the law, but her intent is self defense.

I am looking for any advice on how to best address the questions that may come up. Such as storage, liscencing... Does this stink of a set-up?:scrutiny:

Thank you in advance...
 
You should suggest keeping a wad of $20 bills to throw down and a pack of condoms. That's all that's allowed isn't it ?
 
You cannot keep guns loaded and assembled in DC.

Maybe she should consider a crossbow or compound bow for home defense??
 
She is SOL. The rifle must be dismantled and stored. Also ammo is also forbidden. She can take her chances but if she uses it she better have OJ's lawyer. No knife over 3 inches, no club, no cane sword. Maybe pepper spray if she carries eye wash with it. Talk her out of living there. Used to work there. Sucks.

Semper Fi
 
Hi All,

She can contact the USAO or she can contact the the Gun Registration Dept. For specific information on the regulations. You're not going to find a whole lot of Attys who are pro gun. For the most part this is where young out of school Attys get their start before moving on in their careers. It's like a big clinic of new Attys.

The tactics are universal... it's the law that varies. You may use lethal force in DC as you would anywhere else. The difference that people confuse is the availability of weapons.

If you are walking in an alley, and a robber approaches you with a gun and your life is threatened, you may use whatever force necessary... the difference is that you may not use a gun or an object that you SAY is being carried for self defense. I carry a blade that is used to "cut crash victims free of their seatbelts, should the opportunity arise."

Us Police Officers aren't as bad as you think. We have common sense too and know when a @#$% punk as has messed with someone. Believe me, I take so many assault and robbery reports everyday, I know the old "who started it game."

As for locked and dissassembled... maybe your client is real fast getting that trigger lock off....

Point is, train her well and see if you can convince her to stay in VA :)

Firearms Reg.
300 Indiana Ave., NW
Room 3077
Washington, DC 20001
202.727-4275

Moultrie Courthouse
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
202.879-1010
 
I don't see how it could be a set-up, but one never knows. You are in VA, she approached you to request training, so there's no reason you can't provide training. I would suggest quietly audio and/or video taping the entire session, and be sure to include a short session explaining the DC laws. Then just give her what she wants -- a refresher in shooting a rifle. If you can, arrange to have a couple of other "students" in the same "class," so there will be witnesses.

If she has served in the military, she is presumably considered an adult in the eyes of the law. If she chooses to violate the law in the place where she has chosen to live, that's her problem. Providing training, for a fee or gratis, does not make it your problem. You are in VA and the last I knew rifles were legal in VA.
 
If she wants a "refresher course" go ahead and do so (in VA!) and teach the mechanics of gun use, but advise her in no uncertain terms that you are NOT an attorney, you do NOT provide legal advice regarding DC, and she ought to consult an attorney in DC for the specifics.
 
Moving to LIVE in DC

My first question would be WHY?

She can live in Virginia and get anywhere in the the District downtown via the Metro, and the rest is a quick drive across the Potomac.
 
An AR can be stored in two pieces and assembled in about 10 seconds (two push pins). With a loaded mag in the same drawer this would be an option I think.

I also have a semi-auto .22lr Marlin Papoose take down rifle, the barrel can be reinserted and locked down in about 5 seconds. Although not nearly as powerful as the AR, you would still have some hearing left and 10 COM .22lr in a few seconds is a hell of a lot better than nothing.

Just how "dissassembled" does it have to be?
 
Shotgun

Yes Shotguns must be stored locked and disassembled. I am not sure where the definition of dissassembled lies. If the trigger assessembly must be dissassembled, or if seperating the upper and lower would be sufficient. I will let you all know her reasons after the class is completed. Hopefully I can talk her out of moving to D.C.
 
UPDATE

Well I taught the class last night, she had made the decision to move to an "up and coming" neighborhood, which means it is in the early stages of gentrification. In this area she could purchase a brand new townhouse for only 350k. Which for the area is pretty good. She said it worked for her, but she can see why for an "second amendment absolutist" it would not.

I impressed upon her the difficulties of owning a firearm and suggested before making any decisions to contact a lawyer, but as it turn out she was one. She shot well, and had a good time. Also she was already an NRA member :)
 
Well, at least NOW there is ONE gun-friendly lawyer in DC. Tell her that all us gun-owners living in the Free States feel for her living behind enemy lines.
 
This DC storage law seems to be about as enforcable as a sodomy law. How exactly would they find out if she kept an assembled gun in a closet...or better yet, in a keyless entry metal cabinet? If she defends herself with the rifle, who is going to testify/prove that she didn't hear a noise and assemble it then? Has anyone in DC ever been charged with improper storage of a rifle as the primary charge?
 
the problem

is that if by some happenstance(b/e emergency med response or just nosey maimtenance man) the cops encounter the gun you suffer greatly
 
Why doesn't she think about a lever gun - they can't be disassmbled. Store it in a quick-release mount.
 
It sounds like the law is designed to prevent anyone from using a firearm defensively. Just when would it be OK to assemble it? When you hear a noise? When the BG is running at you? How long could you leave it assembled? As long as you were in fear of your life? In DC that could be forever!

I think if you assembled it for a hunting trip that would be OK to the twisted politicians, but not to protect yourself. :rolleyes:
 
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