As a Washington, DC, resident who called 911 to report a burglary in progress only to have the police *never* respond, I'd very much like to have the ability to keep a functional firearm in my home.

Under current law, all functional firearms are prohibited. Although shotguns are allowed, they musy be registered, unloaded, disassembled, and locked; good luck trying to get your gun functional in time if ever needed.

From my personal experience with a similar ceiling, the bent material is likely a layer latex paint that has filled with water, separated from the gypsum board or plaster ceiling, and is now holding water. I'd suggest grabbing a bucket and poking a hole in it to drain the water.