Washington D.C. has arguably the tightest gun control laws in the country. ![blackgun3.jpg]()
Still, our D.C. criminal defense lawyers recognize that enhanced gun control measures proposed recently by President Barack Obama in the wake of a Connecticut elementary school mass shooting could result in even more arrests.
The Washington Post reports that the much-discussed measures would include 23 executive orders that the President enacted directly, without the approval of the House of Representatives, which is currently controlled by conservative, Second Amendment-supporting Republicans.
Significant measures requiring Congressional approval include re-enactment of the expired assault weapons ban with a limitation of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, a requirement of criminal background checks for all gun sales, a ban on amor-piercing ammunition by anyone other than police or military personnel and the enactment of tougher sanctions for gun trafficking.
Among those initiatives that would require only an executive order: Letters sent to licensed weapons dealers offering guidance on how to conduct background checks for private sellers;Issue a directive to the U.S. Attorney General to review categories of people barred from gun possession and determine if additional measures can be taken to ensure the rules are enforced;Clarify that the health care law won't stop doctors from asking patients if they possess guns at home;Invest $20 million this year to give states incentives to share background data on would-be gun owners;Mandate that all federal law enforcement entities trace and keep all recovered firearms;Propose laws to provide police background check data that would prevent return of a weapon to someone who is barred from possessing it;Require law enforcement to publish detailed annual reports on lost and stolen guns;Enhance standards for gun locks and safes;Provide incentives for more school resources officers;Expand availability of mental health care coverage.
As it already stands under D.C. Criminal Code 22-4503, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison, with a possible maximum of 10 years. Other unlawful firearm possession charges in D.C. carry between 2 and 10 years and a fine of up to $15,000.
Crimes in D.C. committed by persons who are in possession of a firearm carry a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison.
The Metro Police Department recently showed they weren't hesitant to enforce these laws either, as the Post reported three different incidents in previous weeks in which authorities seized six guns, including one Uzi, a type of automatic weapon.
One of those arrested in connection with the guns was found to have a large amount of PCP on his person.
Another is a suspect in a robbery who fled police and reportedly tossed a gun as he ran. Officers later recovered the gun, saying the serial numbers on the weapon had been destroyed.
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Still, our D.C. criminal defense lawyers recognize that enhanced gun control measures proposed recently by President Barack Obama in the wake of a Connecticut elementary school mass shooting could result in even more arrests.
The Washington Post reports that the much-discussed measures would include 23 executive orders that the President enacted directly, without the approval of the House of Representatives, which is currently controlled by conservative, Second Amendment-supporting Republicans.
Significant measures requiring Congressional approval include re-enactment of the expired assault weapons ban with a limitation of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, a requirement of criminal background checks for all gun sales, a ban on amor-piercing ammunition by anyone other than police or military personnel and the enactment of tougher sanctions for gun trafficking.
Among those initiatives that would require only an executive order: Letters sent to licensed weapons dealers offering guidance on how to conduct background checks for private sellers;Issue a directive to the U.S. Attorney General to review categories of people barred from gun possession and determine if additional measures can be taken to ensure the rules are enforced;Clarify that the health care law won't stop doctors from asking patients if they possess guns at home;Invest $20 million this year to give states incentives to share background data on would-be gun owners;Mandate that all federal law enforcement entities trace and keep all recovered firearms;Propose laws to provide police background check data that would prevent return of a weapon to someone who is barred from possessing it;Require law enforcement to publish detailed annual reports on lost and stolen guns;Enhance standards for gun locks and safes;Provide incentives for more school resources officers;Expand availability of mental health care coverage.
As it already stands under D.C. Criminal Code 22-4503, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison, with a possible maximum of 10 years. Other unlawful firearm possession charges in D.C. carry between 2 and 10 years and a fine of up to $15,000.
Crimes in D.C. committed by persons who are in possession of a firearm carry a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison.
The Metro Police Department recently showed they weren't hesitant to enforce these laws either, as the Post reported three different incidents in previous weeks in which authorities seized six guns, including one Uzi, a type of automatic weapon.
One of those arrested in connection with the guns was found to have a large amount of PCP on his person.
Another is a suspect in a robbery who fled police and reportedly tossed a gun as he ran. Officers later recovered the gun, saying the serial numbers on the weapon had been destroyed.