Gun reregistration begins in D.C., may lead to arrest and confiscation

[Cebu_4_2]

Gun reregistration begins in D.C., may lead to arrest and confiscation

First law in U.S. to require renewal with fingerprints and fees

The Washington Times
Wednesday, January 1, 2014



http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2014/01/01/9241864541_b0c666de22_o_s160x213.jpg?bc6d8433d8074 17c2e06083c8a235fb898d14227 (http://www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia/image/9241864541_b0c666de22_ojpg/)


For the first time in the United States, a citizen who has legally registered a gun will have to submit to a renewal process. The consequences of not knowing about this new law or missing the specific 60-day window are dire.

Starting on Jan. 2, every single D.C. resident who has registered a firearm since 1976 must go to police headquarters to pay a $48 fee and be photographed and fingerprinted.

The Metropolitan Police Department (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/metropolitan-police/) estimates there are at least 30,000 registered gun owners.
If the registrant does not go to the police station within three months after a set time frame, the registration is revoked. That citizen is then in possession of an unregistered firearm, which is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.

The gun itself is put into a category of weapons that can never be registered, just as though it were a machine gun or a sawed-off shotgun.

The city has not made clear how it will enforce the law, but the police are in possession of all registrants’ home addresses so confiscation and arrests would be simple.

The police are notifying registrants by mail that they have to come to the station on the set schedule.
Also, the department (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/metropolitan-police/) took out a $550 advertisement in The Washington Times to run on Monday. The required public notice is not being printed in any other newspaper or media outlet.

The three-year expiration date is supposed to uncover if a gun owner does something that makes him suddenly a danger to society, such as committing a felony, becoming a drug addict or being involuntarily committed to a mental hospital.

I recently asked D.C. Council (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/dc-council/) Chairman Phil Mendelson (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/phil-mendelson/), who wrote these laws in 2009, why he couldn’t just run all our names through the FBI (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/federal-bureau-of-investigation/)’s National Instant Background Checks System (NICS), which uses information including name, Social Security number, birth date and physical characteristics to determine if the applicant is legally prohibited from owning a gun.

NICS is used nationally for gun sales and transfers from licensed dealer and applications for a concealed-carry permit. (The records are not kept in order to prevent a national gun registry.)

“I don’t want name-based,” Mr. Mendelson (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/phil-mendelson/) replied. “I can go in and pretend I’m Emily Miller (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/emily-miller/) if I have your name and Social Security number. So name-based is not as good for identification as fingerprints. And NICS doesn’t have all the information.”

These points are disputed in a December court filing in the federal court case known as Heller II, which is challenging D.C.’s registration laws, including the reregistration section. The plaintiffs point out that NICS covers all state and local databases.

In a deposition, the officer in charge of the registration section for 20 years admitted that the unit has not had a problem with fake IDs.

Furthermore, criminals don’t go to the police station before buying their guns. Only the law abiding do that.
The city is making a tidy profit from forcing everyone to reregister. The fees, set in 2003, go to a general fund. It costs $13 for each gun registered. For renewals, the cost is the same, but it is per person, not per firearm.
In addition, gun owners pay $35 for electronic fingerprinting for an FBI (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/federal-bureau-of-investigation/) background check.

While there is no charge for a NICS check, the FBI (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/federal-bureau-of-investigation/)’s fingerprint background check for a civilian is $18. This means D.C. is essentially charging a total $30 gun tax.

Multiply that times the minimum 30,000 registrants and the city is raking in about a cool $1 million from gun owners. No other right in the Constitutional comes with a cash payment.

“Requiring registration in the first place to exercise a constitutional right is harassment enough,” Stephen Halbrook, the lead attorney of Heller II, told me.

“Canceling the registration every three years and charging the equivalent of a poll tax to reregister, and requiring citizens to be fingerprinted yet again, adds insult to injury. Criminals in the sex-offender registration system aren’t even subjected to that.”

The schedule for going to police headquarters is somewhat confusing. Registrants are given two-month windows that are loosely aligned to their birth dates. However, Kelly O'Meara (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/kelly-omeara/), one of Metropolitan Police Department (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/metropolitan-police/) Chief Cathy L. Lanier’s top deputies, said they decided to spread the renewals over a two-year period to avoid long waits.

As a result, the months don’t match up exactly. For example, if you are born between Feb. 16 and March 31, your renewal period is April 1 to June 30 this year. Firearms owners are not allowed to go to the Firearms Registration Section at any other time.

I asked Ms. Meara (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/kelly-omeara/) what happens if a gun owner comes in early. “We probably would not turn them away,” she said. “We just won’t encourage it by saying we are open to it.”

The District started registering long guns (rifles and shotguns) in 1976 after issuing a complete ban on handguns. In 2008, the Supreme Court overturned the handgun ban in the landmark Heller decision.

Afterwards, the D.C. Council (http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/dc-council/) passed the most restrictive gun-control laws in the nation in an attempt to dissuade people from exercising their newly recovered right.

The purported purpose of reregistration is to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people. However, the District’s own witnesses in the Heller II depositions “cite no studies showing that periodic registration renewal or reporting requirements reduce crime or protect police officers.”

While the police are forced to put tens of thousands of innocent people through a reregistration process, the actual criminals are having a field day in D.C.

Homicides were up 15 percent in 2013 over 2012. Robberies with a gun rose 4 percent.

The police should be going after the bad guys and not wasting time on those of us who are exercising our Second Amendment rights and abiding by the law.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/1/gun-reregistration-law-dc-goes-effect-2014/#ixzz2pFwSsx9e

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter (http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=ctd-fI3Dar4z1uacwqm_6r&u=washtimes)

[EE_]

First of all, I don't consider the District of Columbia part of the United States. (more like a criminal enclave)
I could give a crap if DC has the most oppressive gun law in the world.

[Ponce]

Not many who "register" a gun in 1976 still have it......"but sir, I sold my gun at the gun show back in 1982"........like I said before, may as well take all your guns and ammo plus your cleaning kit and give it to them.

V

[madfranks]

There are going to be a number of people who get absolutely blindsided by this law. Simply by not knowing this new law is happening, many decent people may find themselves behind bars. While the criminals (in suits and on the streets) remain free.

[Ares]

Registration only leads to CONFISCATION.

I was reading the comments about the Connecticut gun owners having to register and the amount of flack they took was unreal. Back in Indiana a buddy of mine called them "Fudd's" as in Elmer Fudd. They only care about hunting, and even consider "black rifles" evil. I witnessed this myself when I went to a range and a Fudd came over and asked why I needed an AR-15. I said because I like having the ability to have 30 round mags, a high velocity bullet that penetrates most light weight body armor under lv IV.

He goes, why do you need that kind of power? I said because a shot gun doesn't protect my life and property from government confiscation, a proven battle rifle platform, training and the will to use it will.

He walked away, and my friend came over and says we call those guys "Fudd's" because they only see guns for hunting purposes. They'll be the first and only ones to register their arms, and to lose them when the time comes. Guys like us will bury their weapons, or hide them so that we have access to them, but will go unreported.

It will be a cold day in hell before I ever register any weapon I may or may not have.

[midnight rambler]

I lost all my guns and ammo in a boating accident.

[Ares]

I lost all my guns and ammo in a boating accident.

Mine got lost in the move, I haven't been able to find them.

[EE_]

‘Looks Like Weimar Germany’: The Viral Photo Out of Connecticut That’s Giving Some Gun Owners Chills
Dec. 31, 2013 10:32pm Jason Howerton

A now-viral photo showing a long line of Connecticut residents waiting to register their guns and ammo is circulating across the Internet — and it’s sending chills down the backs of some gun owners.

http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Gun-lines-firearm-gun-registration_1388417797521_4955477_ver1.0_640_480. jpg
Photo credit: George Roelofson/WTNH.
Connecticut gun owners are rushing to register certain firearms and ammunition that will be considered illegal contraband in the new year.

Under a wide-ranging gun control law passed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, they have until Tuesday to submit the paperwork with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

“Holy crap. Looks like Weimar Germany,” Twitter user @votermom said of the photo.

“Another disgusting picture from Connecticut . . .men waiting in line to register guns with the government,” user @chipwoods commented.

“First, they came for the guns,” @PaulRReyes added.

“Life is too short to live in a state that does this to its residents,” Twitter user @lancemfisher declared.

And there are plenty more comments where that came from.

State police say they’ve had people lining up early in the morning to turn in applications to keep high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and guns considered assault weapons under the new law.

While the Connecticut Citizens Defense League believes the law is unconstitutional, it has been reminding gun owners of the deadline to make sure they don’t become felons on Jan. 1.

[Ares]

‘Looks Like Weimar Germany’: The Viral Photo Out of Connecticut That’s Giving Some Gun Owners Chills
Dec. 31, 2013 10:32pm Jason Howerton

A now-viral photo showing a long line of Connecticut residents waiting to register their guns and ammo is circulating across the Internet — and it’s sending chills down the backs of some gun owners.

http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Gun-lines-firearm-gun-registration_1388417797521_4955477_ver1.0_640_480. jpg
Photo credit: George Roelofson/WTNH.
Connecticut gun owners are rushing to register certain firearms and ammunition that will be considered illegal contraband in the new year.

Under a wide-ranging gun control law passed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, they have until Tuesday to submit the paperwork with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

“Holy crap. Looks like Weimar Germany,” Twitter user @votermom said of the photo.

“Another disgusting picture from Connecticut . . .men waiting in line to register guns with the government,” user @chipwoods commented.

“First, they came for the guns,” @PaulRReyes added.

“Life is too short to live in a state that does this to its residents,” Twitter user @lancemfisher declared.

And there are plenty more comments where that came from.

State police say they’ve had people lining up early in the morning to turn in applications to keep high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and guns considered assault weapons under the new law.

While the Connecticut Citizens Defense League believes the law is unconstitutional, it has been reminding gun owners of the deadline to make sure they don’t become felons on Jan. 1.

Look at all those Fudd's......

[midnight rambler]

"If I just go ahead and register my guns, ammo, and 30 round mags now they will leave me alone in the future..."

Death by a thousand cuts.

[chad]

these people are idiots. what other possible reason other than to take them away at some future point s there to registration?

[Ares]

these people are idiots. what other possible reason other than to take them away at some future point s there to registration?

We call em Elmer Fudd's for a reason. How much would you bet if any of us lived in Connecticut we'd do 2 things. 1.) Sure as hell wouldn't register any weapon. 2.) Start looking to leave the state.

Registration started in England, and Australia. When they passed the law to turn in the weapons, they already knew who had them, and that they better comply..

It would of been outstanding had they initiated this idiotic law, and not a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL went to register their weapon. Basically nullifying the law as to be unenforceable. Instead these fucking Fudd's line up like the sheep they are, and register their weapons.

[EE_]

We call em Elmer Fudd's for a reason. How much would you bet if any of us lived in Connecticut we'd do 2 things. 1.) Sure as hell wouldn't register any weapon. 2.) Start looking to leave the state.

Registration started in England, and Australia. When they passed the law to turn in the weapons, they already knew who had them, and that they better comply..

It would of been outstanding had they initiated this idiotic law, and not a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL went to register their weapon. Basically nullifying the law as to be unenforceable. Instead these fucking Fudd's line up like the sheep they are, and register their weapons.

Then yesterday you would have been a citizen, and today you would be a FELON!

[Ares]

Then yesterday you would have been a citizen, and today you would be a FELON!

How? I don't own any weapons. The state doesn't know they exist until you tell them that they do. Just means you can't go to a range, or even show friends or neighbors your toys. So what?

Just like your vehicle, the state doesn't even know it exist until you register it with them. Don't drive it on the road, how are they going to confiscate, fine, or label you a "felon" if they do not know you own what they want registered with them?

Names from a state are meaningless. They can call me a felon all they want, I call them a tyrant. Does it matter? I do not derive my rights from them. They are creator endowed, if they want to take them... As King Leonidas told the Persians, Molon Labe.

[EE_]

How? I don't own any weapons. The state doesn't know they exist until you tell them that they do. Just means you can't go to a range, or even show friends or neighbors your toys. So what?

Just like your vehicle, the state doesn't even know it exist until you register it with them. Don't drive it on the road, how are they going to confiscate, fine, or label you a "felon" if they do not know you own what they want registered with them?

Names from a state are meaningless. They can call me a felon all they want, I call them a tyrant. Does it matter? I do not derive my rights from them. They are creator endowed, if they want to take them... As King Leonidas told the Persians, Molon Labe.

That's right. They like to scare people with the FELON word.
Pretty funny how you can be a upstanding citizen one day and the next, you're grouped in with bank robbers, murders, and mother rapers.

[Ares]

That's right. They like to scare people with the FELON word.
Pretty funny how you can be a upstanding citizen one day and the next, you're grouped in with bank robbers, murders, and mother rapers.

With the number of Felon's out there. I think that words meaning and power behind it is diminishing. You can be a felon for being caught with an ounce of weed in the wrong state. They throw around that felony charge so often it really doesn't have much effect. Going forward its not like its going to deter people from getting jobs that aren't even there. The state is a belligerent, and should be ignored.

[madfranks]

With the number of Felon's out there. I think that words meaning and power behind it is demising. You can be a felon for being caught with an ounce of weed in the wrong state. They throw around that felony charge so often it really doesn't have much effect. Going forward its not like its going to deter people from getting jobs that aren't even there. The state is a belligerent, and should be ignored.

You can be a felon for fishing without a license.