Logosm.gif (1927 bytes)
navlinks.gif (4688 bytes)
Hruler04.gif (5511 bytes)

Back to Second Amendment and Gun Issues main page

Councilmember Muriel Bowser 
Reaction to Heller ruling
June 26, 2008

Home

Bibliography

Calendar

Columns
Dorothy Brizill
Bonnie Cain
Jim Dougherty
Gary Imhoff
Phil Mendelson
Mark David Richards
Sandra Seegars

DCPSWatch

DCWatch Archives
Council Period 12
Council Period 13
Council Period 14

Election 1998
Election 2000
Election 2002

Elections
Election 2004
Election 2006

Government and People
ANC's
Anacostia Waterfront Corporation
Auditor
Boards and Com
BusRegRefCom
Campaign Finance
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Management Officer
City Council
Congress
Control Board
Corporation Counsel
Courts
DC2000
DC Agenda
Elections and Ethics
Fire Department
FOI Officers
Inspector General
Health
Housing and Community Dev.
Human Services
Legislation
Mayor's Office
Mental Health
Motor Vehicles
Neighborhood Action
National Capital Revitalization Corp.
Planning and Econ. Dev.
Planning, Office of
Police Department
Property Management
Public Advocate
Public Libraries
Public Schools
Public Service Commission
Public Works
Regional Mobility Panel
Sports and Entertainment Com.
Taxi Commission
Telephone Directory
University of DC
Water and Sewer Administration
Youth Rehabilitation Services
Zoning Commission

Issues in DC Politics

Budget issues
DC Flag
DC General, PBC
Gun issues
Health issues
Housing initiatives
Mayor’s mansion
Public Benefit Corporation
Regional Mobility
Reservation 13
Tax Rev Comm
Term limits repeal
Voting rights, statehood
Williams’s Fundraising Scandals

Links

Organizations
Appleseed Center
Cardozo Shaw Neigh.Assoc.
Committee of 100
Fed of Citizens Assocs
League of Women Voters
Parents United
Shaw Coalition

Photos

Search

What Is DCWatch?

themail archives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 26, 2008  

Contact: Kristen Barden
202-841-2813 cell
kbarden@dccouncil.us

Statement of Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser in response to United States Supreme Court decision in Heller v. District of Columbia

I am disappointed in today’s Supreme Court action which ruled that the DC law banning private handgun possession at home violates the Second Amendment.  For more than 30 years, the District of Columbia has had a very strict handgun law and this morning’s decision will likely introduce more handguns into the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia laws have regulated the purchase, sale, possession, ownership, registration, transportation, importation, and manufacture of handguns.  The DC Council, along with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), will continue to meet their obligation to protect the residents of the District of Columbia.  Today’s ruling will allow the legal possession of handguns in private homes but this possession will be strictly regulated, including the registration and finger printing of hand gun owners, and until so doing, all DC laws remain in effect. 

Today’s Supreme Court decision does not impact our laws prohibiting the possession and use of guns outside of the home.  There is no right to carry handguns on the streets in the District. That has not changed.  Automatic and semi-automatic weapons will continue to be banned throughout the City. 

Along with the registration requirement for handguns, DC Council will also adopt safe storage provisions and the Metropolitan Police Department will provide free trigger locks.  MPD will be issuing regulations to establish a process for registering handguns within 21 days.  Components of the regulations may include registration requirements, minimum qualifications, criminal and mental background checks, medical clearance, training or test requirements, appropriate waiting periods, and procedures for transporting guns outside of the home. 

In agreement with resident’s sentiments, I will work with my DC Council colleagues, the Mayor, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Attorney General’s office, to preserve the most restrictive handgun regulations within the parameters of this ruling.

Residents with questions about the registration of hand guns can all the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-4275 from 7 AM to 3 PM - Monday through Friday for more information.  There will also be much more information available in the days to come at: www.dc.gov.

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 406, Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8052 phone 202-741-0908 fax

Back to top of page


Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)