Posted on 09/02/2009 4:20:05 PM PDT by neverdem
It took $833.69, a total of 15 hours 50 minutes, four trips to the Metropolitan Police Department, two background checks, a set of fingerprints, a five-hour class and a 20-question multiple-choice exam.
Oh, and the votes of five Supreme Court justices. They're the ones who really made it possible for me, as a District resident, to own a handgun, a constitutional right as heavily debated and rigorously parsed as the freedoms of speech and religion.
Just more than a year ago, by a 5-to-4 decision, the court struck down the District's three-decades-old outright ban on handguns -- the most restrictive gun law in the country. In District of Columbia v. Heller, Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the court, said the Second Amendment guarantees the right of an individual to bear arms, not just Americans in a "well regulated Militia"; the District's prohibition was therefore unconstitutional.
Reluctantly, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's administration set up a process through which about 550 residents -- now including yours truly -- have acquired a handgun. But as my four trips to the police department attest, D.C. officials haven't made it easy.
Which was exactly their intent. The day the Heller decision was announced, Council...
--snip--
But also thrilled. There is a rush, a blood-pumping high, which builds with each shot as the once foreign sensation becomes more familiar and evokes a basic, even primitive, emotion. Like Zeus throwing lightning bolts, I control that frightening explosion. I make the red flash. I make the smoke curl from the muzzle.
Plus, it turns out I'm a decent shot.
--snip--
Maybe it's the wrong decision, maybe I'll later regret it, but the gun is going back. And so am I . . . to the range, where I'll shoot rented firearms. I think I've found a new hobby.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
To exercise a right? He needs to take the wife to the range ASAP before he sells it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103836.html
Video at the link.
Move to Washington State - $80 and a four day wait for a CWP or just open carry.
Disgusting. The DC government should be disbanded and thrown in jail for infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
In Florida, I got mine by filling out a form, getting fingerprinted, showing the clerk my DD-214 and putting about $75 on my debit card.
“Move to Washington State - $80 and a four day wait for a CWP or just open carry.”
Or move to South Dakota. Go down to the local Sheriff’s Office and fill out a simple one page form and he runs it thru the FBI database.
Come back the next day, and if the inquiry came back OK, give him $10 and he gives you your temporary permit.
A week later your permanent card shows up in the mail. That’s it. No test, nothing else.
And you have recipocity with 25 other states.
PA- $35 and no class for a LTCF (CCW). Open Carry is also allowed here as well as drinking in bars while carrying concealed.
DC had Unconstitutional Gun laws. They are better now, but they are still Unconstitutional.
“putting about $75 on my debit card.”
What the heck can ya get for $75 now a days?
Ya, well in any event that guy should get out of DC and move to America ... at Walmart there’s a graphic of the US of states that allow ammo purchases by residents outside of their states - there’s about six or seven states that are red meaning you can’t buy ammo - rest of the country is green. So much for your 2nd. Amendment rights ....
One chip at a time. We got here incrementally. We will get out of here incrementally. The Heller decision was a massive victory for RKBA. I still can’t believe the thinking of those who call it bad for RKBA. I beg to differ. Heller was a massive, massive victory. Still, it is one chip at a time. The wall is coming down slowly. I just wonder if we have enough time left as a democratic republic for it to happen. We are racing toward communism.
The description of firing a .38 is a little blood-curdling for my taste. This guy would wet himself if he shot a .44 magnum. But by the time he actually does, he won't anymore.
One thing I don't understand is the doubt with which he appears to regard his willingness to fire should a threatening thug come up the stairs after him and her. I've never shared that emotion. Dude, you're goin' down.
Walmart checks ID’s for ammo purchases so if you have an out of state license and it’s from a red state then ... and yes you have to prove residence so a passport wouldn’t work ...
My Walmart does not check my ID. Perhaps they know I live in state? But nobody checks it....and that is the way it should be.
I wouldn't let my spouse bring home a Taurus 38 either.
Which states are the six or seven states that don’t allow you to buy ammo? (Although I can probably guess).
Off the top of my head: California, Nevada, - been trying to do a search on which states. Best thing to do is head to your nearest Walmart and check the graphic in the sports department where they sell ammo ....
Colorado.
Visit gun store. Fill out form. 1 or 2 hour wait. Pay. Take weapon home.
Said form is sent to Colorado Bureau of Investigation for wants, warrants and felonies..
(domestic violence counts)
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