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Carrying Firearm in Washington DC Under LEOSA

50K views 40 replies 15 participants last post by  DLGM 
#1 ·
Does anyone have experience carrying a firearm in Washington DC under LEOSA? Or, are there any current or former DC area LEO's on this forum? Specifically, I would like to know what places to definitely avoid while carrying. My current plans of places to visit include several memorials and monuments and at least one of the Smithsonian museums. From what I have seen online, it seems like I will be okay carrying under LEOSA, but I'm worried about running into THAT GUY who is ignorant about LEOSA, or who actually takes pleasure in busting the chops of a brother LEO.
 
#2 ·
I saw an article on this somewhere else, ill post when I get to a computer

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#3 ·
I carry in DC every time I go there. Just talk to the front desk of the museum you want to go into and they will advise you of what you can and cannot do.

The holocaust museum in particular is weary of concealed carry, but I have been allowed to do so in the past.

As for other Federal buildings (Regan Building for example) they are the same way. Just give the guys on duty a heads up.
 
#4 ·
When I was researching it about a year ago, I discovered that DC has it written into their city code that either law enforcement officers/peace officers/police officers (I forget which) can carry a concealed firearm, with no restriction stating what jurisdiction they had to be from. I didn't do much research beyond that; so at least you know you won't run into a problem on the local level.
 
#6 ·
What has been posted above mirrors what I found on other sites. Museums like the Smithsonian used to deny, but have changed recently. Here are the notable tips:
I think Police Memorial Week is what makes federal facilities so good about the way they handle active duty LEO's. I was in the DC area for six years (pre-LEOSA) and they do not have enough weapons lockers to check all of the guns of the active duty LEOs who will come in that week.

But, unless it's changed, even the White House doesn't freak out when you tell them you are an armed LEO (and they do make everybody check their guns, even active duty federal agents) who come in on business, or to visit or tour).

As far as federal facilities are concerned, unless a LEO is on official business, firearms are not authorized. Title 18 sec 930

I went to several of the Smithsonian buildings and all I had to do was check in and show my credentials at the security desk. They had me sign a book with the date and time I came in and that was it. Everyone was very pleasant.
Actual office buildings and the white house are all absolutely no weapons but the touristy stuff was fine. I have heard the capitol goes both ways.


The consensus is to discretely approach security and let them know you are armed and credentialed. Some will turn you away, some have lockers, and some will let you in armed.
 
#7 ·
I think Police Memorial Week is what makes federal facilities so good about the way they handle active duty LEO's.

There's more cops, plainclothes, uniformed, etc with more guns than you could shake a stick at that week. No place I went the two years even batted an eye walking in with a piece.
 
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#10 ·
I've seen a whole thread on that too. I've got an email from NJSP that gives their stance, and also suggests comparable semi-jacketed hollow point rounds that are legal under their statues. I believe if you are on official business you are covered, but if off duty you must conform to their laws. Insane, I'd love to see a lawsuit resulting from someone who zings an FMJ through a baddie into a bystander.
Ill post when I can get to a computer.

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#13 ·
Oh, that's right. The same mag I have to carry when working makes me a felon when I drive home at 4pm....
Only according to one notoriously anti-gun ex-chief who thinks he's God's gift to interpreting arcane and poorly written firearms laws and consumer regulations.
 
#14 ·
As for NJ I was mistaken above. Rather than semi-jacked hollow point the ammo RECCOMENDED by the NJSP firearms unit is Enhanced FMJ. As for cops getting arrested for carrying hollow points there were at least 4 documented cases. 3 of those were for assclown behavior like DUI/bar fight but 1 involved a off-duty officer who shot a carjacker. Below is the experience and email received from the NJSP to a poster on another forum. Don't forget about those evil high cap mags too!

--Well, a little late for my trip, but that’s OK. Nice to have a solid answer from NJ for future reference.

I cut and paste the info below from the rather long e-mail reply by Lt. Schlueter of the NJSP.

Being an off-duty LEO not on official business one would have to use magazines of 15 rounds or lower capacity.

I took my Glock 19 and 638, ammo carried was 124gr +P EFMJ (Thanks Dennis!) and wadcutters by Buffalo Bore. Fortunately things were far smoother than trips to DC and NOLA that I have taken (although being a chaperon for 240 teenagers was work, let me tell you).

PS; I am going to call the Lt. who sent me this answer (from the NJSP Firearms unit) next week out of curiosity about what they view as “Dum-Dum” bullets, it appears they look at these and hollow-points as one and the same from his e-mail.

As per state statute, based on the reason for your visit (vacation), and as you will not be engaged in activities pursuant to subsection f. of N.J.S. 2C:39-6, you are prohibited from carrying hollow point ammunition in your handgun while in New Jersey.

Be advised that the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (A.F.T.E.)define “hollow point” as “a bullet with a cavity in the nose to facilitate expansion.”

According to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Unit, three alternative rounds to a hollow point are identified by the Ballistics Unit as follows:

Hornady Critical Defense

Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket

Corbon / Glaser PowR Ball

Each use a different technology to facilitate expansion and do not have a “hollow” cavity. In the case of the PowR Ball and the Critical Defense, each uses a polymer to fill the “cavity,” and therefore are considered to be Expanding Type bullets falling short of a “hollow point.”




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#16 ·
2011, think the original email was from the same time. 218 should cover, but NJ remains obstinate.

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#22 ·
I'm sure i'm going to be handed my head for posting this but here goes. I've been to D.C. about 8 times with the family. I didn't bring a gun. We never had a problem. There are cops and homeland security all over the place. When you stop to look at a map people stop and ask if they can help. That being said I wouldn't be walking around at night without a gun.
 
#39 ·
"If you are warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be "on" 24/7, for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself... "Baa."" -Lt. Col. Grossman
 
G
#27 ·
Speaking of LEOSA, does anyone know the current protocol for flying with a gun? The last time I did was pre-9/11, and back then it had be in checked baggage inside a locked container inside a suitcase.

Is it still the same?
 
#30 ·
Speaking of LEOSA, does anyone know the current protocol for flying with a gun? The last time I did was pre-9/11, and back then it had be in checked baggage inside a locked container inside a suitcase.

Is it still the same?
Pack in your checked bag, weapon unloaded, in a hard-sided, locked case (ammo can be left in the magazines, just have them outside of the weapon). Just give yourself time to check in at the ticketing counter. Tell the ticketing agent you need to declare a firearm. He/she will have you sign a form & may or may not have you open the locked case so they can see the firearm. They put a tag on the gun case showing it's been "declared", then have you lock it all up & they put it on the belt to go. At least now, they don't put a neon tag on the exterior of the luggage saying "GUN" like they used to.

*****
 
G
#28 ·
Yes, unless on a job-specific travel that you need a firearm for (escort, prisoner or dignitary), you've taken the special course, and submitted a request via the CJIS Web application.

Unless your un federale!
Thanks....I don't need to jump through all those hoops, I just want to be able to carry when I arrive at my destination in November.
 
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