bigmanindc
Active Member
Anyone purchased a firearm, specifically a pistol from a gun show? I do know I have to contact Mr. Sykes but other than that whats the experience like.
Is it worth it?
Is it worth it?
Buying at a gun show (handgun) would be no different than buying from a gun shop. The gun would have to be shipped to Mr Sykes and you would have to pay his transfer fee ($125) and then register the gun upstairs at the registration office. You then bring the registration form back downstairs to Mr Sykes and he escorts you out of the building with the gun (you need to bring a gun case and lock). For a long gun, you fill out the registration paperwork when you buy the gun. Take the paperwork to firearms registration and once it's registered, you go back to the seller and pick up the gun. Don't forget that you need to wait ten days from the date on the receipt to pick up the gun.
Is it true that if you purchase a long gun online you can use any FFL (MD or VA)?
Yes. But pick somewhere convenient, because you’ll have to go twice. One to sign the PD-213 with the FFL and another to pick up the firearm after you have the registration card. It’s annoying that the PD-213 has to be filled out “in the presence” of both parties.
Buying at a gun show (handgun) would be no different than buying from a gun shop. The gun would have to be shipped to Mr Sykes and you would have to pay his transfer fee ($125) and then register the gun upstairs at the registration office. You then bring the registration form back downstairs to Mr Sykes and he escorts you out of the building with the gun (you need to bring a gun case and lock). For a long gun, you fill out the registration paperwork when you buy the gun. Take the paperwork to firearms registration and once it's registered, you go back to the seller and pick up the gun. Don't forget that you need to wait ten days from the date on the receipt to pick up the gun.
Buying at a gun show (handgun) would be no different than buying from a gun shop. The gun would have to be shipped to Mr Sykes and you would have to pay his transfer fee ($125) and then register the gun upstairs at the registration office. You then bring the registration form back downstairs to Mr Sykes and he escorts you out of the building with the gun (you need to bring a gun case and lock). For a long gun, you fill out the registration paperwork when you buy the gun. Take the paperwork to firearms registration and once it's registered, you go back to the seller and pick up the gun. Don't forget that you need to wait ten days from the date on the receipt to pick up the gun.
DC has language in the its code to allow MPD itself to get its own FFL licence and be the FFL in such an eventuality:Yup, it sucks, but it is what it is for now. The big question is what will happen when he retires?
§ 7-2504.10. District as federal firearms licensee.
(a) Whenever there is no active federal firearms licensee in the District of
Columbia, the Mayor may seek from federal
authorities a license for the District to act as a federal firearms licensee solely for the benefit of any District resident eligible and seeking to obtain a lawful handgun.
(b) The Mayor shall delegate the authority under subsection (a) of this section to a subordinate agency.
(c) The District shall act under the license obtained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section only until such time as there
is an active federal firearms licensee in the District of Columbia.
(d) The District may charge a fee to recover the cost of acting as a federal firearms licensee pursuant to subsection (a) of
this section by charging $125 or its actual costs, whichever is less, for each handgun.
(e) For the purposes of this section, the term "active federal firearms licensee" means a person or business that has
applied for and received a federal firearms license pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 923 for the purpose of interstate transfer of handguns, and is operating commercially in the District of Columbia
DC has language in the its code to allow MPD itself to get its own FFL licence and be the FFL in such an eventuality:
I bet it would be cheaper if sykes retired since the law says DC as an FFL would be: "charging $125 or its actual costs, whichever is less, for each handgun" and I bet you could get a successful suit based on upper end of national average which is probably closer to $40 to $50.
The Catch-22 is finding a location that is permissible to operate a gun store . Mr Sykes couldn't find one anywhere in DC, that's why he has a desk @ MPD HQ .
There is specific zoning for FFLs to operate. What was his issue? Cost or no one would rent to him?
Firearm retail establishments are permitted in a “C-2” Commercial District, provided that no portion of the establishment shall be located within 300 feet of: 1) a residence or Special Purpose District; or 2) a church or other place of worship, public or private school, public library or playground.34
The commercial areas available for an FFL are extremely limited and not economically viable.
The $125 really is not that expensive Mr. Sykes is dealing in a low volume transfer business that does not have a retail space to generate revenue.
Ok , I'm curious . At the time I remember it being reported at the time as " couldn't " . It's a little vague at this point , but somthing along the lines of almost no almost no properties with proper zoning meeting the exclusion criteria, and landlords refusing to rent to a gun store .
I'm sure we have enough RE pros here who could research the first part, if such a property exists .
Charles Sykes is a really nice guy. He does not sell any guns; he just does transfers.
We deal with him several time a month, as we sell to LOTS of DC residents.
Sad fact, it is easier to get a handgun in DC that it is in MD now, and they have a bigger approved list as they accept MD Roster and one other state, which one escapes me