NEWSWIRE
“The people of this city, acting through their elected representatives, have sought to combat gun violence and promote public safety. The court finds that they have done so in a constitutionally permissible manner,” - U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg for the District of D.C.
Union Station, Washington DC
Washington D.C., has arguably the most strict gun laws in the nation. Buying a gun begins with appearing in person to apply for a registration certificate from the Metropolitan Police Department. Photographs and fingerprints are taken. Five hours of safety training is also required, (four hours in class and one hour at the range). And that is just to legally own and carry a gun in one's home for the purpose of self defense. Washington DC neither issues concealed carry permits nor honors concealed carry permits from any state. Open carry is prohibited.
The Washington Post has some details about the registration and training requirements. More details are available in my prior diaries here and here.
By Ann E. Marimow, for The Washington Post, on May 15, 2014
A federal judge on Thursday upheld the District’s tough gun registration laws, finding that regulations crafted in response to a landmark Supreme Court decision “pass constitutional scrutiny.” [...]
The lawsuit, one of many throughout the country that have challenged gun restrictions, took on the District’s post-2008 regulations that banned large-capacity magazines and assault weapons. The city also imposed stringent registration requirements for handguns and long guns. [...]
Boasberg said Thursday that he was persuaded that the city’s system allows the District to “screen out dangerous or irresponsible people who try to obtain a firearm.”
“Asking gun owners to take a short class and pass a minor test — once — in order to wield deadly weapons fits the District’s interests in public safety and police protection,” he wrote in the 62-page opinion.
...Continue reading Judge upholds D.C.’s gun law
In light of the Court's ruling,
Roll Call reports that the District's Delegate to the US House of Representatives, Eleanor Holmes Norton, (D).is calling on GOP politicians to abandon their efforts to strip the DC City Council of their law making authority and overturn the District's gun laws through an Act of Congress.
Please note, I haven't seen the opinion yet and will publish a diary outlining the Court's reasoning as soon as I have time to read it.
Sponsored by the Firearms Law and Policy Group
The Daily Kos Firearms Law and Policy group studies actions for reducing firearm deaths and injuries in a manner that is consistent with the current Supreme Court interpretation of the Second Amendment. We also cover the many positive aspects of gun ownership, including hunting, shooting sports, and self-defense.
To see our list of original and republished diaries, go to the Firearms Law and Policy diary list. Click on the ♥ or the word "Follow" next to our group name to add our posts to your stream, and use the link next to the heart to send a message to the group if you have a question or would like to join.
We have adopted Wee Mama's and akadjian's guidance on communicating. But most important, be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
|