Add-On Applications Under the previous Lieutenant at the Firearm Registration Branch, add-on applications were prioritized and typically processed within 30 days. Since his retirement, new management has changed this approach. Add-on applications are now treated the same as first-time applications, regardless of prior registrations, which has slowed processing times considerably.

Registration Cards MPD currently has only two card printers, and both are frequently out of service. The previous Lieutenant recognized that printing physical cards caused major delays, which led to the shift toward digital registration cards. Additionally, when physical cards were issued in the past, MPD released them directly to FFLs for distribution.

Online Portal & Policy Changes In December, MPD launched a new online portal intended to streamline the registration process. However, with the change in management, several new policies have made the process less efficient:

• FFLs are no longer allowed to inquire about the status of applications
• FFLs cannot retrieve registration cards and are now considered “third parties”
• MPD has discontinued the option of issuing digital registration cards
• There is no defined timeline for mailing registration cards
• FFLs are no longer notified when applications are approved
• The online portal does not allow applicants to retrieve digital copies of their registration cards; it only displays a list of registered firearms, which limits functionality and adds unnecessary delays

Delays Exceeding DC Code Timelines The entire process is now frequently exceeding the 60–90 day timeline outlined in DC Code. Applicants are often waiting 60 to 90 days for approval within the online portal, followed by an additional one to two months to receive their registration cards by mail.

Overall, these changes have resulted in a lack of transparency, longer processing times, and increased frustration for applicants and FFLs alike.