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Sale of Firearm-District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, “firearm” means any weapon, regardless of operability, which will, or is designed or redesigned, made or remade, readily converted, restored, or repaired, or is intended to, expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such device; or any firearm muffler or silencer.[i]   However, the term firearm shall not include:

  • Antique firearms[ii];
  • Destructive devices[iii];
  • Any device used exclusively for line throwing, signaling, or safety, and required or recommended by the Coast Guard or Interstate Commerce Commission[iv]; or
  • Any device used exclusively for firing explosive rivets, stud cartridges, or similar industrial ammunition and incapable for use as a weapon.[v]

D.C. Code § 7-2502.01 deals with the requirements of registration for firearms in the District of Columbia.  Generally, in the District of Columbia in order to receive, possess, control, transfer, offer for sale, sell, give, or deliver any destructive device, or possess or control any firearm a person or organization should hold a valid registration certificate.[vi]

In the District of Columbia, a registration certificate shall be issued to a person only if he/she is 21 years of age or older.[vii]  It can be issued to a person between the ages of 18 and 21, only if the person is otherwise qualified, and the application is accompanied by a notarized statement of the applicant’s parent or guardian[viii] stating that the applicant has the permission of his parent or guardian to own and use the firearm to be registered[ix]; and that the parent or guardian assumes civil liability for all damages resulting from the actions of such applicant in the use of the firearm to be registered.[x]  However in such cases, the registration certificate shall expire on the person’s 21st birthday.

D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 details the duties of registrants.  Each person and organization holding a registration certificate should notify the Chief in writing of the loss, theft, or destruction of the registration certificate or of a registered firearm (including the circumstances, if known) immediately upon discovery of such loss, theft, or destruction.[xi]

If there is any change in any of the information appearing on the registration certificate also, it should be notified to the Chief immediately.[xii]  The sale, transfer or other disposition of the firearm not less than 48 hours prior to delivery, pursuant to such sale, transfer or other disposition, should also be notified.[xiii]  When notifying about such sale, transfer or other disposition of the firearm, the identification of the registrant, the firearm and the serial number of the registration certificate[xiv]; the name, residence, and business address and date of birth of the person to whom the firearm has been sold or transferred[xv]; and whether the firearm was sold or how it was otherwise transferred or disposed of should also be notified.[xvi]

At the time of notification of such loss, theft, destruction, sale, transfer, or other disposition of the firearm, the person concerned should also return to the Chief, the registration certificate for any firearm.[xvii]

[i] D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 (9)

[ii] D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 (9) (A)

[iii] D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 (9) (B)

[iv] D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 (9) (C)

[v] D.C. Code § 7-2501.01 (9) (D)

[vi] D.C. Code § 7-2502.01 (a)

[vii] D.C. Code § 7-2502.03 (a) (1)

[viii] Id.

[ix] D.C. Code § 7-2502.03 (a) (1) (A)

[x] D.C. Code § 7-2502.03 (a) (1) (B)

[xi] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (A)

[xii] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (B)

[xiii] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (C)

[xiv] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (C) (i)

[xv] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (C) (ii)

[xvi] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (1) (C) (iii)

[xvii] D.C. Code § 7-2502.08 (2)


Inside Sale of Firearm-District of Columbia