Video Highlights
- DC Security Associates opened in 2021 with one of two federal Firearms licenses in DC.
- DC police became the only gun dealer in town due to lack of private businesses in 2012.
- DC police started operating as both gun dealer and enforcer of gun laws in April 2020.
- Concerns raised over DC police being the only police department in America to sell guns to the public.
- DC Council allowed the city to deal guns in 2012 to avoid Second Amendment scrutiny.
Video Summary
In a recent investigation by Ted Oberg and the News4 I Team, concerns have been raised over the operations of a gun dealer in Washington D.C. Unlike traditional gun shops, this particular dealer has a unique background that has sparked controversy within the community. The dealer in question is none other than the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. themselves.
When residents of D.C. seek to obtain a legal handgun, they typically go through the process of purchasing a firearm from a store in Virginia or Maryland, or even online, and then have it shipped to a licensed dealer in D.C. This dealer is responsible for conducting the necessary federal background checks to ensure that the individual is eligible to own a firearm. Surprisingly, for a period of time, the only entity in D.C. conducting these background checks was the Metropolitan Police Department.
Shawn Poland, the owner of DC Security Associates, is one of the two individuals in the entire District who can assist residents in obtaining legal handguns. His firearm business was established in 2021, holding one of the two federal Firearms licenses in D.C. The unique situation in D.C., where the police department is involved in gun dealing, has sparked concerns among residents and experts alike.
The Metropolitan Police Department's involvement in gun dealing stems from a law passed by the D.C. Council in 2012, allowing the city to sell guns if no private business would take on the responsibility. In the absence of other dealers, Mayor Bowser mandated the police department to step in and operate as both the dealer and enforcer of gun laws in the district. This move has raised eyebrows, as police departments are not typically expected to engage in firearms sales.
The decision for the police department to take on the role of a gun dealer was met with skepticism and criticism. Concerns were raised about the potential conflicts of interest that could arise from the police department overseeing their own firearms branch. If errors or issues were to occur within the Firearms Branch, there would be a significant conflict of interest in having the police department both inspect and enforce their own operations.
Despite the initial involvement of the Metropolitan Police Department in gun dealing operations, it was reported that they were eager to exit the business. Shawn Poland recalls that the police department requested his business to open early by four weeks, indicating their haste to disengage from the gun business. This move highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding the unique situation in D.C. where the police department was the sole entity selling guns to the public.
The revelation that the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. was the only police department in the entire country involved in the sale of guns to the public has sparked fresh concerns about the intersection of law enforcement and firearms sales. The reliance on the police department to handle gun dealing operations in the absence of private businesses has raised questions about accountability, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest.
As the discussion continues around the operations of the gun dealer in D.C., it remains to be seen how the city and its residents will address the concerns raised by this investigative report. The involvement of law enforcement agencies in firearms sales is a contentious issue that requires careful consideration and oversight to ensure the safety and security of the community. The unique situation in D.C. serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with the regulation of firearms in the United States.
