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Posted: 9/27/2005 11:40:46 AM EDT

Over Thanksgiving weekend we are flying to DC for a wedding, and I have never been there. Since we are just going to be there for the weekend and the wedding is near Dulles, we are not even going to rent a car. We will be using public transportation for all our travels. We are going on Thursday (Thanksgiving) so we can sight see all day Friday. Since it is a rough town and we will be on the subways etc. I am definately taking a gun. Am I as a police officer going to have a hard time with this? What about some of the federal buildings we will probably be going into while sight seeing ie: library of congress, Arlington, you know all the sights...

Posted: 9/27/2005 11:50:48 AM EDT

[#1]

Tag, also wondered about this.

Posted: 9/27/2005 11:57:59 AM EDT

[#2]

I'm not sure if the national police carry law is in effect in DC.

Carrying a personal sidearm on personal business, in DC, is a big no-no.

Library of Congress had metal detectors when I studied there about 8 years ago. They may have more or less now.

You can open carry in Virginia, with no issues.

If you have a personal carry license you are apparently good to go on personal carry in Virginia too. Just familiarize yourself with a few of our quirks. You can't carry concealed in a restaurant/bar that holds an ABC license. You CAN open carry. You can't carry on the GW Parkway -- the road to Mt. Vernon -- as it is a National Park property. I believe Iwo Jima may also be a National Park. I'm not sure about Arlington Cemetary.

If you are in Dulles, the public transport may suck to get from Dulles to Vienna to catch the metro.

The tourist spots in DC, the Mall, the museums, etc are all in pretty decent neighborhoods. I have never felt the need for a firearm when doing the "tourist route".

HTH...

Posted: 9/27/2005 12:02:28 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Since it is a rough town and we will be on the subways etc. I am definately taking a gun.

The Metro {subway} isn't what you think. I bet you will see more soccermoms and dads on the thing then you will see vagrants, thieves and miscreants.

Posted: 9/27/2005 2:59:28 PM EDT

[#4]

All of the museums that I know of have metal detectors as well as all the Federal buildings and FBI tour. One of my friends let the guard know he was LE and they pulled him out of line to let him secure his weapon in a lock box they had. I would suggest bringing your OC and LE creds so they don’t take it from you at the various metal detectors you will be going through. Your gun will be more of a hassle. The Metro is safe.
If you drive downtown watch out for the crack heads who will try to sell you a parking space and if you don't pay they F*** up your car. They get nasty.
Have fun in my home town.

Posted: 9/27/2005 3:08:28 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
One of my friends let the guard know he was LE and they pulled him out of line to let him secure his weapon in a lock box they had. I would suggest bringing your OC and LE creds so they don’t take it from you at the various metal detectors you will be going through.

What type of LE? What jurisdiction? I have been told by a Capitol Police SGT, who is a friend of mine, that if you aren't Fed or DC LE you aren't gonna get very far with a personal gun.

Posted: 9/27/2005 3:17:19 PM EDT

[#6]

DC is a Federal Town

In federal buildings, you are pretty much SOL if you are not a Federal with a shield. Even still, most of the tourist spots will not even let the Federals in. When I say Federal, I mean DEA, FBI, ATF, DSS, TSA, Secret Service, Border Patrol, FPS, Capitol Police or whatever alphabet agency. There are exceptions for some Federal buildings if in uniform or escorted.

For Metro (the subway), if you are Federal with a shield, you are fine. Otherwise, Metro Police (YES, the subway has a police force) want out of town leo to carry only in uniform. What they will do otherwise, I do not know.

ETA: For DC, out of state leo can only carry while in uniform. Again, I do not know what will happen otherwise.

ETAA: In Virginia, what Shivan said.

Posted: 9/27/2005 3:35:08 PM EDT

[#7]

Last year sometime the federal government signed the National Law Enforcement carry act enabling any sworn law enforcement officer to carry his/her firearm concealed. Certain federal buildings will be off limits but you can carry in all 50 states with no problem, well, you shouldn't have a problem.

Posted: 9/27/2005 3:51:05 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
One of my friends let the guard know he was LE and they pulled him out of line to let him secure his weapon in a lock box they had. I would suggest bringing your OC and LE creds so they don’t take it from you at the various metal detectors you will be going through.

What type of LE? What jurisdiction? I have been told by a Capitol Police SGT, who is a friend of mine, that if you aren't Fed or DC LE you aren't gonna get very far with a personal gun.

if you are an HR218 qualed officer you can carry anywhere in DC with the exception of Federal buildings and courts

Posted: 9/27/2005 4:28:29 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
One of my friends let the guard know he was LE and they pulled him out of line to let him secure his weapon in a lock box they had. I would suggest bringing your OC and LE creds so they don’t take it from you at the various metal detectors you will be going through.

What type of LE? What jurisdiction? I have been told by a Capitol Police SGT, who is a friend of mine, that if you aren't Fed or DC LE you aren't gonna get very far with a personal gun.

if you are an HR218 qualed officer you can carry anywhere in DC with the exception of Federal buildings and courts

That is what I am thinking. just need some confirmation on this.

Posted: 9/27/2005 5:06:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
One of my friends let the guard know he was LE and they pulled him out of line to let him secure his weapon in a lock box they had. I would suggest bringing your OC and LE creds so they don’t take it from you at the various metal detectors you will be going through.

What type of LE? What jurisdiction? I have been told by a Capitol Police SGT, who is a friend of mine, that if you aren't Fed or DC LE you aren't gonna get very far with a personal gun.

if you are an HR218 qualed officer you can carry anywhere in DC with the exception of Federal buildings and courts

That is what I am thinking. just need some confirmation on this.

Good luck.

Nearly every building worth seeing is Federal Property.

Posted: 9/27/2005 10:10:29 PM EDT

[#11]

Ok, after researching this a bit, I have found that H.R. 218 allows us to carry anywhere in the country, which includes the district of columbia and puerto Rico. So carrying in the city will not be a problem. You are correct, we are not exempt from federal law or regulations that prohibt carrying into a federal building, federal property, or national parks.

I guess what I need to find out now is, how this will work. I wonder if there is a place I could store my firearm at the security checkpoint for the federal building or not. I just want to find out how this will actually work out. If it is going to be that big of a pain in the ass, I guess I'll just leave the thing at home. Don't really wanna do that though.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:20:44 AM EDT

[#12]

Sad to say, you’ll probably find being armed is more aggravation than it’s worth.

As already mentioned, most things worth seeing are on Federal property and H.R. 218 doesn’t cover you there at all. (Also. while I don’t see it as much of an issue, note that under H.R. 218 certain entities such as businesses can also prohibit carry.)

Frankly, the usual tourist spots are quite safe anyway, as are the parts of the subway that you’ll probably be riding. D.C. certainly has some areas where you’d absolutely want to be armed, but unless you take a wrong turn, you won’t be in those areas.

Outside of the areas covered by the subway system, public transportation in NOVA (northern Virginia) is pretty lousy, especially during non-rush hours. You’ll find things a lot easier with a rental.

However, if you go into D.C. your best bet is to park at a subway station in Virginia and take the subway into the city. The specific station you park at would vary depending on where your hotel is, but if you’re out in the Dulles area you’ll probably want to go to the Vienna station.

Note that the subway system now has some sort of screwy setup where you need a prepaid card to exit the parking lot in your car.

That said, I have to admit that just on principal I don’t like being several hundred miles from home without access to a handgun. If you’ve got a place to secure it, it might be just nice to have with you in case something happens and, say, you wind up stranded in the area.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:40:52 AM EDT

[#13]

from the looks of this, I'll probably just break down and leave it at home. I won't have a car with me ( the wedding is right near dulles). We will only be touring around on Friday. I'll just suck it up and be extra aware.

Posted: 9/28/2005 8:49:05 AM EDT

[#14]

<Racist slur removed. --tbk1>

Posted: 9/28/2005 8:53:37 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
.

....

Posted: 9/28/2005 11:15:28 AM EDT

[#16]

Virginia State Code allowed credentialed out of state LEO's CCW even before H.R. 218 was put into effect.

D.C. falls under H.R. 218 as well, so you can carry there.

Dulles is quite a ways from D.C. and there are no Metrorail stations nearby. You'd have to take a taxi or Metrobus to the West Falls Church Metrorail station.

Where is the wedding being held? Reston or Herndon or Sterling?

I would go ahead and bring the heater. You aren't going to be able to see all that much in a day any ways. Bring it and walk around and see the sites.
If a particular place wont allow it in, see if they have a locker you can use. If not......skip it.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:27:28 PM EDT

[#17]

The hotel we are staying at is the Dulles Days in. Not sure what city that is really in. The church is only a mile from there. Am I going to be able to get around without acar?

I suppose I could take the gun and try to find a locker at some of the sites, just don't know how easy that will be.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:32:08 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
The hotel we are staying at is the Dulles Days in. Not sure what city that is really in. The church is only a mile from there. Am I going to be able to get around without acar?

I suppose I could take the gun and try to find a locker at some of the sites, just don't know how easy that will be.

If the church is a mile away you should be fine. Call the cab companies with extra time to spare when you are heading out to the metro. You need to go from Dulles to Vienna Metro. The cab ride itself might be $40. I would think a rental would be more cost effective for two-three days.

Even with a rental I would still just drive to the metro station and metro into DC.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:42:22 PM EDT

[#19]

Never felt the need to have a firearm when doing a tourist route?

I can see where youi're coming from saying they're located in good neighborhoods. But there's also a flip side to that. Normally large gatherings of people at significant landmarks (read: TARGETS) make me more aware and wanting to be armed. Granted, a sidearm isn't going to do you much good against a car bomb. But there are plenty of other ways terrorists could attack - and a sidearm coupled with observational skills could be all it takes to neutralize a threat.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:50:21 PM EDT

[#20]

Shivan gave you the straight.

Bomber

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:50:30 PM EDT

[#21]

I grew up in DC guns are a MAJOR NO NO!!! You cant even have a single round in your pocket. Of all the places in DC the metro is probably the safest.

If you carry a weapon in DC and get cought you are in deep deep sh*t - I hate to sound like that but it's the facts.

I lived there for 32 years and never had an event that required a firearm - thank God because you can't carry one! Enjoy your trip, there is alot to do there.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:50:56 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
I can see where youi're coming from saying they're located in good neighborhoods. But there's also a flip side to that. Normally large gatherings of people at significant landmarks (read: TARGETS) make me more aware and wanting to be armed. Granted, a sidearm isn't going to do you much good against a car bomb. But there are plenty of other ways terrorists could attack - and a sidearm coupled with observational skills could be all it takes to neutralize a threat.

I agree 210%. I really, really do. I was trying to set his mind at ease over the potential of NOT having a sidearm with him.

Living right outside DC, I get to see how it works on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis.

If he were going to be there on an extended stay it might be a little different. If he jumps in and jumps out the sidearm may end up taking more time from the "vacation" then the peace of mind it lends having it.

Just my thoughts.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:53:26 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I grew up in DC guns are a MAJOR NO NO!!! You cant even have a single round in your pocket. Of all the places in DC the metro is probably the safest.

If you carry a weapon in DC and get cought you are in deep deep sh*t - I hate to sound like that but it's the facts.

I lived there for 32 years and never had an event that required a firearm - thank God because you can't carry one! Enjoy your trip, there is alot to do there.

HR218 exempts him if he has the identification already. However, the fed building restrictions will make HR218 almost a non-factor since nearly every Federal building in DC has a "no guns" policy unless you are Fed LE of some sort or MPD there in a business capacity.

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:55:07 PM EDT

[#24]

As a former DC copper, I can tell you that with HR 218 in effect, you are golden, citywide. Even before NLEOPA, we would never hassle coppers who carried in the city.

Within the confines of a Federal Building, you have to play by their rules. If you tell (SHOW CREDS) the security personnel at the magno's that you are a LEO and armed, they will likely have lockboxes for you to secure it.
They allowed me to do so when I took the FBI tour some years ago. They also took me to the head of the line, and let me and the young lady I was with, into the gun room after the tour was over, and gave us some patches, t-shirts, etc.

Bring your heater, and carry it in good health. Enjoy the nations capitol.

Oh yeah, don't forget to visit the LEO Memorial right in between DC Police HQ's at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, and the FOP Office/ Lounge (read: bar) at 711 4th ST, NW. See the wall, and pop in the FOP afterwards for a beer and my favorite sub, "The Billy Club".

Posted: 9/28/2005 12:59:17 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
As a former DC copper, I can tell you that with HR 218 in effect, you are golden, citywide. Even before NLEOPA, we would never hassle coppers who carried in the city.

Within the confines of a Federal Building, you have to play by their rules. If you tell (SHOW CREDS) the security personnel at the magno's that you are a LEO and armed, they will likely have lockboxes for you to secure it.
They allowed me to do so when I took the FBI tour some years ago. They also took me to the head of the line, and let me and the young lady I was with, into the gun room after the tour was over, and gave us some patches, t-shirts, etc.

Bring your heater, and carry it in good health. Enjoy the nations capitol.

now this is making my day a little brighter.

another officer from my department just got back from DC, but when he went to the touristy places, he left his weapon at the hotel. When he went through the metal detector at I believe the library of congress or the national archives, the officer acted surprised when he found out my friend was not armed.

I have considered making a few phone calls to the actual sites and speaking with security there to find out how they work it. this a good idea?

Posted: 9/28/2005 1:02:15 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
Quoted:
As a former DC copper, I can tell you that with HR 218 in effect, you are golden, citywide. Even before NLEOPA, we would never hassle coppers who carried in the city.

Within the confines of a Federal Building, you have to play by their rules. If you tell (SHOW CREDS) the security personnel at the magno's that you are a LEO and armed, they will likely have lockboxes for you to secure it.
They allowed me to do so when I took the FBI tour some years ago. They also took me to the head of the line, and let me and the young lady I was with, into the gun room after the tour was over, and gave us some patches, t-shirts, etc.

Bring your heater, and carry it in good health. Enjoy the nations capitol.

now this is making my day a little brighter.

another officer from my department just got back from DC, but when he went to the touristy places, he left his weapon at the hotel. When he went through the metal detector at I believe the library of congress or the national archives, the officer acted surprised when he found out my friend was not armed.

I have considered making a few phone calls to the actual sites and speaking with security there to find out how they work it. this a good idea?

If you have a pre-planned agenda of places that are must see, yes give them a call. You have more than two months to get a response.

It's better to have the gun and not need it then not to have it....

Wish we lowly civilians could get a National Carry Law.....I would attend a multi-week "academy" if they required it for a National Permit.

Oh well......enjoy DC.

Posted: 9/28/2005 1:04:08 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I grew up in DC guns are a MAJOR NO NO!!! You cant even have a single round in your pocket. Of all the places in DC the metro is probably the safest.

If you carry a weapon in DC and get cought you are in deep deep sh*t - I hate to sound like that but it's the facts.

I lived there for 32 years and never had an event that required a firearm - thank God because you can't carry one! Enjoy your trip, there is alot to do there.

HR218 exempts him if he has the identification already. However, the fed building restrictions will make HR218 almost a non-factor since nearly every Federal building in DC has a "no guns" policy unless you are Fed LE of some sort or MPD there in a business capacity.

Interesting I did not know that - I always thought guns were a NO NO for everyone except DC police and the fellas that watch over the President - Thanks for the info!

Posted: 9/28/2005 1:50:32 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
As a former DC copper, I can tell you that with HR 218 in effect, you are golden, citywide. Even before NLEOPA, we would never hassle coppers who carried in the city.

Within the confines of a Federal Building, you have to play by their rules. If you tell (SHOW CREDS) the security personnel at the magno's that you are a LEO and armed, they will likely have lockboxes for you to secure it.
They allowed me to do so when I took the FBI tour some years ago. They also took me to the head of the line, and let me and the young lady I was with, into the gun room after the tour was over, and gave us some patches, t-shirts, etc.

Bring your heater, and carry it in good health. Enjoy the nations capitol.

Oh yeah, don't forget to visit the LEO Memorial right in between DC Police HQ's at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, and the FOP Office/ Lounge (read: bar) at 711 4th ST, NW. See the wall, and pop in the FOP afterwards for a beer and my favorite sub, "The Billy Club".

Best news I've heard in a long time.

Posted: 9/29/2005 9:25:12 AM EDT

[#29]

That's in the town of Herndon, just off of the Dulles Toll road. It borders Reston, Virginia.

Just so you know, Herndon looks like a nice sleepy little N. VA town....but they have been experiencing quite a few problems with MS13 there and in the county (Reston).

If the church is within a mile, you shouldn't have a problem getting there. You will have to take a lengthy taxi ride to the closest metrorail station (West Falls Church) though.

Quoted:
The hotel we are staying at is the Dulles Days in. Not sure what city that is really in. The church is only a mile from there. Am I going to be able to get around without acar?

I suppose I could take the gun and try to find a locker at some of the sites, just don't know how easy that will be.

Posted: 9/29/2005 10:55:59 AM EDT

[#30]

You could call, but most places that require you to secure your weapon, have a place for you to do so.
My wife and I went to the Texas Inaugural Ball for Pres. Bush at the DC Convention Center, and I left my gun in the lock box of my truck. Good thing I did, because when I was talking with some Uniformed Secrect Service guys while outside smoking a Partagas, they told me they had no lockboxes, and I would not have been allowed in. The reason was because their security was not a fixed checkpoint.
I saw another guy wrote that DC was a federal city, and therefore HR218 does not apply. That is incorrect. While DC is a federally created city, it is governed by it's own (DC criminal and municipal) code. The Metropolitan Police Department, or MPD, or MPDC (NOT DCPD, as the dorks in hollywood refer to it) is a 3900 sworn member City PD, not a federal agency.
There are, however, many uniformed federal agencies operating within the city. Some of these are the Federal Protective Service, US Capitol Police, Secret Service Uniformed Division, FBI Police, Library of Congress Police, Bereau of Engraving and Printing Police, US Park Police, and I'm sure I omitted a few.
Also, there are independant agencies like the National Zoo Police, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police.

Posted: 9/29/2005 10:58:09 AM EDT

[#31]

duplicate...oops.

Posted: 9/29/2005 2:53:42 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
You could call, but most places that require you to secure your weapon, have a place for you to do so.
My wife and I went to the Texas Inaugural Ball for Pres. Bush at the DC Convention Center, and I left my gun in the lock box of my truck. Good thing I did, because when I was talking with some Uniformed Secrect Service guys while outside smoking a Partagas, they told me they had no lockboxes, and I would not have been allowed in. The reason was because their security was not a fixed checkpoint.
I saw another guy wrote that DC was a federal city, and therefore HR218 does not apply. That is incorrect. While DC is a federally created city, it is governed by it's own (DC criminal and municipal) code. The Metropolitan Police Department, or MPD, or MPDC (NOT DCPD, as the dorks in hollywood refer to it) is a 3900 sworn member City PD, not a federal agency.
There are, however, many uniformed federal agencies operating within the city. Some of these are the Federal Protective Service, US Capitol Police, Secret Service Uniformed Division, FBI Police, Library of Congress Police, Bereau of Engraving and Printing Police, US Park Police, and I'm sure I omitted a few.
Also, there are independant agencies like the National Zoo Police, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police.

thanks for the help, I may be sending you an IM here shortly.

Posted: 9/29/2005 2:57:57 PM EDT

[#33]

National ZOO Police?? Please tell me that was a joke.

Posted: 9/29/2005 10:24:22 PM EDT

[#34]

I once tried to do a count of federal LEO (or at least firearm carrying) agencies. The number is difficult to arrive at, but it’s certainly well over 80 outfits.

My favorite obscure outfit is the “IRS Police”, which has a very collectable shoulder patch.

Posted: 9/30/2005 5:23:18 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
from the looks of this, I'll probably just break down and leave it at home. I won't have a car with me ( the wedding is right near dulles). We will only be touring around on Friday. I'll just suck it up and be extra aware.

That is what I would recommend doing.

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