It remains to be seen how much credence will be given to personal statements regarding the need for self-protection or other “proper reason”. The form suggests the acceptable evidence includes police reports and notarized third party statements, but no one knows what proof will ultimately pass muster. Most probably insurance reports, official statements or job descriptions from employers and the like will be given weight, but general statements regarding one’s constitutional right to defends oneself will undoubtedly fall flat.
As we mentioned in our blog found here, there is still hope. The permit process will undergo judicial review at some point so there is a decent chance the process will be less constrained in the next few months. Our attorneys will continue to monitor the process. Until then we are available to help clients prepare their strongest application to justify a DC carry permit, and we are ready to represent clients in appeals if their applications are rejected.
The rules and regulations do beg a few more questions, however. The training requirement is predictably lengthy (16 hours plus 2 hours of shooting). However, presumably many of the applicants will be avid shooters who have taken more than the required hours of training by a certified instructor. Two questions remain: One, it is unclear what instruction, other than military experience, Chief Lanier will deem “equal or greater to that provided by the Act” since instructors must be “certified” by the chief. Two, regardless of how long an applicant has spent in the classroom or at the range, there will be an unfilled gap for most. Part of the training requirement is a review of all of DC’s firearm and self-defense laws. It would stand to reason that few non-resident applicants have ever studied DC firearm law in class or otherwise because of the complete firearm ban that was in place until a few months ago.
Arsenal Attorneys will help clients satisfy the training requirements for a DC permit. Our existing law seminars will include DC laws on self-defense and firearms. We will issue certificates to those in attendance who wish to use this training for their DC carry applications. Further, our law firm includes attorneys who are already NRA-certified instructors. These attorneys will soon be certified as DC Concealed Carry Firearms Training Instructors as well. With these credentials, we plan to offer the complete training requirements required for a DC carry permit. We also plan to review clients’ previous training, and in deserving cases we will provide a statement advising the Chief of Police to waive further training for such carry permit applicants. We will also be available as guest speakers to help other DC instructors provide their students the required instruction in DC law. Of course we are available for personal consultations to provide this training privately.
Contact us with your questions about these and other firearms issues. We will continue providing analysis of the DC carry permit process in our blog and on our Facebook page.
