On Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 09:49 AM, Trei, Peter wrote:

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Major Variola (ret)[SMTP:mv@cdc.gov]

At 12:29 AM 6/10/03 -0700, Bill Stewart wrote:

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At 09:48 AM 06/09/2003 -0700, Major Variola (ret.) wrote:

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the Capitol because it had a gasoline container strapped to its roof.

But the real point is that ammo has to be registered. Amazing. I found an old, live cartridge in the desert last weekend, tossed it in the car. What if I lived near DC instead of SoCal?

Actually, ammunition is not registered as such, but in DC you are only allowed to possess ammunition suitable for one of your DC-registered firearms. This applies even to spent cartridge cases.

If this guy didn't own a DC-registered shotgun of the same gauge as the shell found, then he's in violation. The car had California plates, so it seems plausible that he was a non-resident.

I believe it was the McClure-Volkmer Amendment (or somesuch spelling) of some years back that clarified the laws regarding interstate transport of firearms. Instead of having to know the details of every single state one might be driving through on a trip, one was exempted from the local firearms laws while the guns were locked up in a trunk or suitable lockable container. This was hailed at the time as a major step towards stopping one state from busting those from North Carolina, say, when they passed through Maryland on their way to a hunting trip in Maine. The reasonable interpretation of McClure-Volkmer would have protected someone while in their vehicle, and probably while at a motel in some state, but would not have protected those staying for more than what a simple trip would take. I'm not surprised to hear that some jurisdictions think they can exempt themselves, especially for such trivial paper violations as having a shotgun shell. Mexico is like this, too. Gringos have spent time in Mexican jails because they neglected to thoroughly inspect every square inch of their vehicles, and the shakedownistas found a .22 cartridge under the floor mats. (The intent was probably to collect $100 mordita.) All this while drug operations run more or less without interruption and as they are equipped with fully-automatic HKs and FALs, the Army-issue rifles. So they bust a tourist for having a .22 cartridge while MP-5s and Uzis abound. Typical government.) As for Bill's point about a gas can strapped to the roof, this is a common way of carrying extra fuel, and is generally legal if the can is DOT approved (the red ones). LandCruisers and suchlike are often seen this way. As noted, safer than carrying them inside. Of course, normal rights and liberties are dispensed with when mere suspicion of planning to use the gas is involved. I'll bet this all gets kicked, unless an Arab was in the vehicle. --Tim May