D.C. Grants First Concealed Carry Permits, Ending Decades-Long Prohibition

[WVsig]

http://wamu.org/news/15/01/27/dc_grants_first_concealed_carry_permits_in_decades

The Metropolitan Police Department has granted its first concealed carry permits, effectively ending the longstanding ban on carrying handguns in public that was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge last year.

According to an MPD official, eight concealed carry permits have been granted and 11 denied since the department started accepting permit applications in late October. Since then, 69 people applied for the permits, though three were cancelled at the request of the applicant. Of the 66 completed applications, 34 were filed by D.C. residents and 32 by non-residents...

It is "may issue" but better than no issue....

 

[BobCat45]

Edge of the wedge

It is a start. Going from zero to 0.01 is sometimes harder than going from 0.01 to 1, or to 100.

Anyway, never thought I'd see it (read it). Certainly the fight will continue uphill, but savoring small victories is not out of line.

 

[2ndsojourn]

"...eight concealed carry permits have been granted and 11 denied since the department started accepting permit applications in late October."

Only 19 permits have been processed in approx 3 months? What the heck are they doing? That's only about 6 per month - a days work at best. The remaining 49 will take over 8 months at that rate, and that doesn't even take into account any more applicants. Talk about job security for someone and wasting taxpayer money. *sigh*

 

[dakota.potts]

It truly is an awesome day for a natural born right when 11 of 19 people who try to exercise it are arbitrarily denied

 

[wogpotter]

in 3.

in 2.

in 1.

"OH MY GOD, THERE WILL BE BLOOD IN THE STREETS"!

 

[BobCat45]

and when there isn't blood in the streets, that's a data point in our favor.

 

[carguychris]

It truly is an awesome day for a natural born right when 11 of 19 people who try to exercise it are arbitrarily denied

It wasn't totally arbitrary... per the article... (emphasis mine)

Under the restrictive "may-issue" permitting scheme, applicants for concealed carry permits have to meet one of three conditions: Prove that they face a personal threat, work in an industry that requires them to handle large amounts of cash or other valuables, or show that they would need a handgun to help defend an incapacitated relative...

...one official with knowledge of the permitting process said that some of the applicants who were rejected simply cited the Second Amendment as a reason for requesting a concealed carry permit.

I'm guessing that "Because FREEDOM!!" wouldn't fly as a reason either.

 

[2ndsojourn]

From the linked article:
"Individuals carrying handguns also have to remain 1,000 feet away from U.S. or foreign dignitaries."

That could be a real problem to defend against. There's dignitaries everywhere in that town. Bars, restaraunts, stores. You better be concealed well.

 

[wogpotter]

and when there isn't blood in the streets, that's a data point in our favor.

While agreeing with you in principal, its never worked out that way before, what's different this time round?

 

[JN01]

I wonder if the police will have the permit holders under a microscope, waiting for them to slip up and violate one of the numerous draconian restrictions, and then make an example of them.

 

[johnwilliamson062]

I was crunching numbers to illustrate how ridiculous the 1000 yard rule is in DC. It is absurd. If the 8 applicants aren't in each others radius they cover 1.5% of DC. With 100 License holders...

Holder III?

 

[ballardw]

Under the restrictive "may-issue" permitting scheme, applicants for concealed carry permits have to meet one of three conditions: Prove that they face a personal threat, work in an industry that requires them to handle large amounts of cash or other valuables,

Do illegal drugs qualify as "other valuables"?

 

[mman]

People who were denied permits can now sue and challenge the denial and push the line further forward.

 

[scpapa]

More ammo (pun intended) for Gura!!

Rick

 

[Nickel Plated]

I'd be curious to know who those 8 approved applicants are and who they know. So far it's looking like D.C. is going with a NYC-style permit system.
Sure you can apply and if you show a valid reason, you'll get a permit.
Unfortunately, as far as the licensing division is concerned, the only valid reason is "I'm friends with the mayor"

I know we should be glad for every victory, but this kind of system is worse than no-issue at all.
You can atleast challenge no-issue in court as an outright violation of the 2A and win.
But the NYC system is just "constitutional" enough to survive a court challenge, but restrictive enough that realistically, no average shmuck is gonna ever get a carry permit.
Unless the courts start applying a higher level of scrutiny to the 2A.

 

[TDL]

Only 19 permits have been processed in approx 3 months? What the heck are they doing?

They stalled on certifying the trainers. I have a pal who was denied just last week but who had applied early. they stalled on the civilian training regime approval.

The initial group getting it have law enforcement training and are mostly retired LEO or those working as private security details

I am looking over the application packet and the laws. Interesting one can only have 10 rounds total on their person. A firearm with a seven round mag means no extra mag or having three in the extra mag.

Does anyone in a state with a general mag cap limit on ownership, also have a limit of ten on their person for purpose of CCW?

 

[Dwagshooter]

What D.C. calls people with dignity in this law, really don't have any.

Should not be a problem.

 

[steve4102]

Emily Miller has been approved for a DC Carry permit.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/28192641/fox-5-emily-miller-gets-dc-gun-carry-permit-approved

This is from the OP's linked article.

The city's rules also restrict where a gun-owner can carry their gun. Public transportation, schools, government buildings, bars, stadiums, and hospitals are off limits, as are protests and an area around the White House. Individuals carrying handguns also have to remain 1,000 feet away from U.S. or foreign dignitaries.

I have a feeling she my be getting set-up here. I would think it almost impossible to remain 1000 feet from a dignitary in DC, especially in her line of work.

IMO, she will have to, not carry while in DC or face arrest. They will be watching her like a hawk.

 

[kilimanjaro]

So what's the legal definition of a 'dignitary'?

 

[Armed_Chicagoan]

I don't see how that 1000' rule can possibly be constitutional, it's simply not possible to know where these "foreign dignitaries" are at any time. Of course I don't see how the rest of their law is constitutional either, but that is some low-hanging fruit.