Opinion ID: 2381320
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Carrying a Pistol without a Licence (CPWL)

Text: The first degree burglary while armed count (M) (§§ 22-1801, -3202) does not merge with the single CPWL count (V) (§ 22-3204(a)). First degree burglary while armed requires proof that the defendant entered a dwelling of another person  when a person was present in the dwelling  while armed with or having readily available a firearm or any other dangerous weapon, but the weapon need not be an operable and unlicensed pistol. See Rouse v. United States, 402 A.2d 1218, 1221 (D.C.1979). CPWL, in contrast, specifically requires carrying  as opposed to having readily available  an operable, unlicensed pistol. Thus, each statutory provision requires proof of an element that the other does not. The armed robbery count (T) (§§ 22-2901, -3202) does not merge with the CPWL count (V). See Rouse, 402 A.2d at 1221 (armed robbery and CPWL counts do not merge because each statute requires proof of an element that the other does not, and also because each provision serves a distinct societal interest). The ADW counts (O, Q) (§ 22-502) do not merge with the CPWL count (V). ADW requires proof of an attempt to injure, which CPWL does not. CPWL requires proof of carrying a pistol, which ADW does not. The CPWL count (V) does not merge with the possession of a prohibited weapon count, (W) (§ 22-3214(a)). CPWL requires proof that the defendant did not have a license, which possession of a prohibited weapon does not. Possession of a prohibited weapon requires proof of possession of a specifically prohibited weapon, which CPWL does not.