2324

INTERPRETATION OF ASSAULT WEAPONS DEFINITION

2324.1 Section 101 paragraph 3A of the Firearms Regulations Control Act of 1975 (Act), effective March 31, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-0372; 56 DCR 1365.), defined the term “assault weapon”, and section 202(a)(6) of the Act declared that “assault weapons” may not be registered in the District.

2324.2 In those instances where the definition of “assault weapon” refers to a firearms manufacturer or description without including a specific model reference, the term “assault weapon” shall be interpreted to include only those firearms produced by such manufacturer, or possessing such description, that share characteristics similar to other enumerated firearms in section 101 paragraph 3A(A)(i)(I)) through (III) of the Act, or possess any of the enumerated characteristics listed in section 101 paragraph 3A(A)(i)(IV) through (VIII) and 3A(A)(ii) through (iii) of the Act.

2324.3 A firearm that is produced by a manufacturer or possesses a description that is included in the definition of “assault weapon” referred to in § 2324.1, but which does not share characteristics similar to the enumerated firearms, or the enumerated characteristics described in § 2324.2, may be registered, provided that the firearm is not otherwise prohibited from registration under District or Federal law or regulation.

SOURCE: Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 8745 (November 6, 2009), incorporating text of Proposed Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 4782 (June 19, 2009).