How can they do that? Isn’t that at odds with the constitution?
Guns are not illegal in New York City. However, you must obtain a permit to keep a handgun in a residence or business. Concealed carry permits are also available but are not easy to come by. You do not need a permit to keep a shotgun or rifle as far as I know.
If you’re interested in a handgun license for New York City, here’s a NYPD website with information about the procedures.
Guns are illegal in the District of Columbia.
–Cliffy
Not entirely true I think. Guns need to be registered, but they stopped registration back in the 70’s. So effectivly it’s true for most folks. Of course criminals by definition don’t care.
from here: http://www.packing.org/state/washington_dc/
Also:
from the same site.
Nope. You can have a shotgun or rifle as long as it is not semi-automatic and you register it. I have a shotgun that’s properly registered.
Handguns, on the other hand, had to be registered by 1976. If you didn’t do that, you can’t have one here. Of course, the criminals ignore that making the law completely useless for preventing crime, but since this isn’t GD I’ll let this go.
Sorry – should have specified handuns. Thanks for the corrections.
–Cliffy
The 2nd Amendment does not apply to handguns?
The Second Amendment does apply to handguns, but generally, courts have found that the Second Amendment doesn’t prevent states or municipalities from passing laws restricting or regulating handgun ownership.
There are, of course, people who feel that this interpretation of the Second Amendment is incorrect, and that there should be fewer laws restricting gun ownership. But, the debate over gun control really isn’t a General Question.
That registration deal goes from Chicago too. You can get a handgun if you register it, but you can’t register it, so you can’t get one. Nasty little loophole.
:smack: FOR Chicago.
…and fortunately doesn’t apply to us municipally employed badge carrying types.
The small town of Butler, New Jersey (they call it a “Borough.”) is right next door to my small town. In the city limits there is a sign reading something to the effect of “It is unlawful to discharge a firearm within the Borough of Butler.” I guess you can own a gun if you live in Butler, but you can’t shoot it.
A good link just for everyone to get started with: Packing . Org
Well, unless the laws have changed recently, the law in NJ was that you had to apply for permits through your local police department. One Firearms Identification Card “longarm permit” was good for life, and as many longarms (rifles and shotguns) as you liked. However, one FIC “handgun” permit was good only for 90 days on issuance, and then only for the particular handgun you wanted to buy. [sub]correct me if I’m wrong–I haven’t lived there in 5 years, but I don’t see that bureaucracy moving that fast[/sub].
This, however, is in contrast with where I’ve lived in Arizona, North Dakota, and Montana. Most localities have ordinances saying you can’t openly carry in public–i.e. “in town”. However, there’s nothing on the books to prevent me from openly carrying when I go hiking or camping in the woods (bears and such).
Tripler
Plus, outside of NJ, it’s a helluva lot easier to find places to shoot.
:smack:
I’ve sorta gotten ahead of myself. I meant to say that this is in contrast with purchasing in the other states I’ve lived. I just show a driver’s license or proof of residency, they call a hotline, and 20 minutes later I walk out with my firearm.
However, my comments of openly carrying are generally true for the Western states of the Union. But then again, I attribute this to population density: I see Jersey’s stance when you’ve got over 800,000 people in Bergen County, compared to 645,000 in the entire state of North Dakota.
Tripler
I really need to cut back on the caffiene.