The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-03
T0T|NG' ON
INCREASE
HERE
Police Judge Mcmahon Assur-
ed Cooperation of Detec-
tives in Campaign.


tives in Campaign.
: By GEORGE FRANKLIN.
Gun toting and the carrying of
other concealed weapons is to be
suppressed in the District Of Column
bia. Included among concealed
weapons are long-bladed pocket
knives, dirks, stilettos, slingshots,
blackiacks-soft or solid headed
brass knuckles and sword canes.
Hereafter police magistrates will
impose the maximum penalty on
all offenders convicted of carrying
concealed weapons. The maximum
penalty is five years in prison and
q fine of 500.
Police Magistrate Aroused.
.'Unwarranted carrying Of con-
cealed weapons in the District OF
Columbia is to stop if can stop it.
said Judge John Mcmahon, police
magistrate, today. THE habit is be-
coming alarmingly common. People
who feel they are warranted in going
armed should obtain permit. These
will be issued where the circum-
stances. warrant it. OF course, the
filing of a bond to keep the peace
is required. At present / am ac-
cepting $500 bond, but that can
be increased. 1t is discretionary with
the police magistrate. to set the
amount.
Zone change in the act of Congress
governing the carrying of concealed
weapons / favor. At present permits
r.. - % III = -.
must be renewed. I would extend
the time to twelve months.
As for punishment for violating
the act. the limit must be imposed"
Inspector Clifford Grant. chief of
detectives, indorsed the move.
The police magistrates are right
in taking the position they have to-
ward those guilty of violating the
concealed weapon act" said Inspec-
tor Grant. mo one should escape
once they are convicted of such a
violation There is only one excep-
ton to be noted. Where police repre-
eehtatives from other cities come to
washington in running down a
criminal they should be permitted to
carry revolvers. Naturally they
make their mission here known at
police headquarters. the latter al.
ways cooperating with them. That
is the only exception know Of"
Sword Canes Numerous.
In listing concealed weapons COM
Ing under the ban of the act, police
officials called attention to the long
bladed pocket knife, with a blade
fashioned along stiletto lines, to the
hip pocket blackjack and sword
cane.
Many sword canes are being car.
ried in Washington. according to
the police. They are largely owned
by foreigners. although the habit
of carrying them has spread among
Americans. Concealed weapons of
this kind are procurable through a
number of stores dealing in i'm
ported novelties. Some of them are
easily detachable, while others, the
police say. require close examina-
ton. Among the latter are several
types Of dirk carriers, with slender
blades six to ten inches long, of the
finest tempered steel.
Whether automobilists carrying
reyolvers and automatic pistols in
their cars are violating the law
against carrying concealed weapons
is to be decided by the United
States Supreme Court on appeal of
a case where conviction was Sc
cured against a motorist before Po-
lice Magistrate Mcmahon. Judge
Mcmahon held that the intent of
the act is to prevent persons from
having deadly weapons within
reaching distance while on the
streets and highways of the Dis.
trict. The appeal rests on a strict
construction of the act which
m 81
on the person necessary to convic-
ton.
Same as in Pocket, He Says.
"A revolver in an automobile
within easy reach of the autoist is
a concealed weapon" declared
Judge Mcmahon. ut is just as
available as If carried in the driv-
er's pocket"
Il would permit autoists travel
ing country roads to carry a re-
Volver or gun in their cars for pro-
lection. said Inspector Grant.
But. Of course, it is an open ques-
ton as to whether they have the
regal right to do so. That must be
definitely settled in connection with
the drive to end the carrying of
concealed weapons by persons who
nave not secured the proper permit
to do So"
Carrying of 'shotguns on the
streets of Washington, unless the
gun IS carried broken" with its
barrels empty, is a violation of the
act against carrying concealed
weapons, according to Inspector
Grant.
Hunters are not permitted to
carry their guns loaded on the citv
streets" he said. amy more than
man is permitted to, walk the
streets carrying a revolver in his
hand. To do so indicates he either
is out cunning for somebody or Is
trying to intimidate some one"
Gun In Home Approved.
Every man should be permitted
to own and keep a revolver at his
home for the protection Of the lat
ter. declared Inspector Grant, but
should not be permitted to carry ii
with him. The Sullivan law of
New York makes it unlawful to own
q revolver and the police are au.
thorized to enter and search a mans
residence If 1t is believe he owns
one. No such drastic law Is favor
ed by the Washington police, who
insist that the householder should
be prepared to defend his home and
himself against criminals.
Chinese, II isS understood. out
number other applicants for permits
sion to carry revolvers. A number
~ rermitS If ia said have heap IL