Legal Research

Disttrict of Columbia Expected Back In Court On New Handgun Law

By David Badertscher, PLL

Source: Crime & Justice News

"Washington, D.C., whose 32-year-old handgun ban was struck down by the Supreme Court, could son be headed back to court over a new gun law that could take effect as early tomorrow, reports the Washington Times. The D.C. Council will vote today on emergency legislation that will require handgun owners to keep their weapons disassembled or under lock and key. Gun rights advocates see that as direct defiance of the Supreme Court ruling.

That ruling said Washington could not bar residents from 'rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense.' Some interpreted that language at the time as prohibiting any requirement for gun locks. 'They're doing everything that they can to not comply with the Supreme Court ruling,' said Chris Cox, chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, who dismissed the proposed legislation as 'a joke.' Cox added: 'Unless the criminal calls you beforehand and lets you know he's coming over [] you're going to be left defenseless.' D.C. interim Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said, "We expect a lot of public input, [and] we probably expect also a lawsuit."

Washington Times

Full post as published by New York Supreme Court Criminal Term Library on July 15, 2008 (boomark / email).