How to Legally Posess a Gun in DC

I went through the process, and you can too. Don't be discouraged, intimidated, or paranoid about the process. Yes, it sucks. But wouldn't your facing an armed intruder in your home suck even more if you didn't have a gun?

This is the process I did. This is for pistol only. Shotgun and rifles do not have to be ballistic tested.

1) Ensure the firearm you desire to purchase and register is on the list of "approved" firearms for California, Massachusetts, or Maryland.

2) Purchase firearm outside the District, because DC currently has no firearm sales shops.

3) Inform the dealer you want to perform an FFL to FFL transfer and for them to please hold the firearm.

4) Contact the FFL dealer in DC (there's only one doing business for public citizens, Charles Sykes - great guy) and have him fax a copy of his FFL to the place where you bought the firearm.

5) Confirm with the outside-the-District FFL that he has received the proper information and will ship the firearm to the DC FFL.

6) Wait for the DC FFL to inform you your firearm has arrived.

7) Set an appointment with the DC FFL to visit his office (office hours are 10:30 to 1pm M-Sat; the office is in the worst part of DC for crime).

8) Visit the DC FFL at his office and fill out paperwork. Pay DC FFL $125 transfer fee in cash or Money Order.

9) Take paperwork from DC FFL and visit DC's Metropolitan Police Department's Gun Registration office.

9a) Present DC FFL paperwork;

9b) Present notarized statement of mental competency;

9c) Present certificate of firearm safety course completion (4 hours class time and 1 hour range time);

9d) Present 2 passport sized photos;

9e) Fill out additional form stating you understand firearms can be dangerous;

9f) Leave the DCPD Registration office and go to the Treasure's office and pay $48 (cash or money order) for fingerprints and gun registration;

9g) Return to the DCPD Registration office and be fingerprinted; and

9h) Take the District's gun quiz which has very little, if ANYTHING, to do with firearm safety. Pass the quiz by not missing 5 questions.

10) Wait five days.

11) Call the DCPD Registration office to determine whether the application is ready for pickup. If it is, proceed to step 12!

12) Pick up your approved registration in person. You could have it mailed to you, but why?

13) Make an appointment with the DC FFL to meet at his office for the firearm transfer.

14) Take the firearm to the DCPD for a ballistics test. LOCK THE FIREARM IN A BOX DURING TRANSFER. The desk officer will take your pistol and send you to the Treasurer's office.

15) Go to the Treasure's office and pay $12 cash or money order.

16) Return to the DCPD for the ballistics test and wait (usually allow an hour).

17) On completion of ballistics test, return home with your firearm and VIOLA!! You're DONE!!! LOCK IT during transport. Failure to do so could result in y'all losin' your right to bear arms.