Injured Vet's Guns Stolen by Washington, D.C.

Published on May 16, 2012
Duration: 12:41

This video details the legal ordeal of Lieutenant Kim, a decorated veteran, whose firearms were confiscated by Washington D.C. authorities. Despite charges being dismissed by the US Attorney's office, the DC government has failed to initiate proceedings to return his legally owned property, citing constitutional rights and due process. The discussion highlights the complexities and potential abuses within DC's firearm laws and property seizure procedures.

Quick Summary

Injured veteran Lieutenant Kim's firearms were seized in Washington D.C. after a traffic stop. Despite charges being dismissed by the US Attorney, the D.C. government has failed to return his property, raising concerns about due process and constitutional rights, with legal precedent suggesting a violation of the Fifth Amendment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Veteran's Service
  2. 00:21The Incident: Pulled Over and Arrested
  3. 01:11Initial Thoughts on Arrest and Gun Confiscation
  4. 01:22Driver's License Suspension and Clerical Error
  5. 02:03Confusion Over Legal Transportation
  6. 02:12Officers Handling of Firearms
  7. 02:21Awareness of Military Service by Police
  8. 02:45Consent to Search and Military Career Concerns
  9. 02:59Legal Counsel's Reaction to the Situation
  10. 03:06Potential Felony Charges in DC
  11. 03:37Wiser Heads Prevail: Misdemeanor Charges
  12. 03:51Understanding the Veteran's Situation
  13. 04:23Plea Agreement and Charge Dismissal
  14. 04:35The Importance of Not Consenting to Searches
  15. 05:00DC Police Lack of Awareness of Gun Laws
  16. 05:22Delayed Information on DC Gun Laws
  17. 05:42Prosecutor's Realization of Weak Case
  18. 06:20DC Government's Failure to Return Property
  19. 06:42Right to a Hearing for Gun Return
  20. 06:52Description of the Firearm Collection
  21. 07:30DC Holding the Firearms
  22. 07:47Letter to Property Clerk and Lack of Action
  23. 08:14Recent Communication from DC Authorities
  24. 08:22Frustration with the Process
  25. 08:52Legal Theft of Property
  26. 09:11Precedent Case on Property Seizure
  27. 09:43US Attorney's Prompt Action vs. DC Police Delay
  28. 10:00Comparison to Post-Katrina Confiscations
  29. 10:10Prospect of Getting Guns Back Before Deployment
  30. 10:33What it Will Take to Get Guns Back
  31. 10:48Pending Case in DC Court of Appeals
  32. 11:05Potential Lawsuit Against Police Department
  33. 11:13Veteran's Perspective on the Situation
  34. 11:37Analogy to Roman Soldier Visiting Rome
  35. 11:54Valuing Freedom After Service
  36. 12:05Disgraceful Actions by the District of Columbia
  37. 12:16Standard Operating Procedure: Seize and Ignore
  38. 12:23Disregard for the Fifth Amendment
  39. 12:33Police Abusing Power

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were Lieutenant Kim's firearms seized in Washington D.C.?

Lieutenant Kim was pulled over in Washington D.C., and although he was transporting firearms lawfully, the police initiated an arrest. He was initially taken in for driving under suspension, which turned out to be a clerical error, but his firearms were confiscated during the stop.

What legal issues arose from the seizure of Lieutenant Kim's firearms in D.C.?

Lieutenant Kim faced potential felony charges for carrying firearms outside the home without a license, a charge complicated by D.C. law. Even after charges were dismissed, the D.C. government has failed to initiate proceedings to return his property, violating due process rights.

What is the legal precedent regarding property seizure in Washington D.C.?

A D.C. Court of Appeals ruling established that the government must provide notice and an opportunity for a hearing when seizing property, allowing individuals to contest the seizure. This precedent appears to be ignored in cases like Lieutenant Kim's, where property is retained without due process.

What advice is given regarding vehicle searches in D.C.?

It is advised that individuals in D.C. should generally not consent to vehicle searches, even if they believe they have nothing to hide. Police officers in D.C. may not be fully aware of or may disregard lawful firearm transportation laws, leading to unwarranted arrests and confiscations.

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