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Legal Information: District of Columbia

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
November 1, 2019

Is there anything I can do to make it more likely that the abuser's gun is taken away when I get a protection order?

In Washington, D.C., the firearm ban should automatically be written on your civil protection order, informing the abuser that s/he cannot possess, purchase, receive or sell any firearm or ammunition.

You may also want to ask the judge to specifically write in the terms of the order that the abuser must give up his/her firearms. It also may be helpful if the judge:

  • requires the abuser to give his/her guns to the police, or requires the police to go to the abuser’s house and get them;
  • makes it clear to both you and the abuser how long the guns will be kept away from the abuser;
  • orders that the police notify you when the guns are returned to the abuser.
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