Senate Version Of D.C. Gun Ban Repeal Introduced

Following last week’s ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down the District of Columbia’s ban on guns in the home, and the introduction of H.R. 1399-legislation to do the same-this week comes the introduction S. XXXX . Like its House counterpart, S. XXXX would repeal the District’s onerous and ineffective gun ban. Please continue to contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support S. XXXX and H.R. 1399, respectively.

While last week’s decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals was monumental, it does not guarantee the demise of the D.C. gun ban. This ruling will be appealed with the possibility of being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Thus, it could be weeks, months, or longer before the D.C. gun ban is rightly relegated to the statutory graveyard-if the appeals process turns out favorably!

Therefore, the need for Congress to pass binding law that would allow law-abiding D.C. residents to own and keep firearms in their homes for self-defense has become even more paramount. Of course it is our hope that, in the end, the judicial system works and the D.C. Circuit Court’s ruling is upheld. However, we will continue to pursue a dual track in trying to reinstate the right of self-defense in the District of Columbia by aggressively pursuing passage of the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act" in Congress.

Last week, we reported that the House version of this bill, H.R. 1399¾by Representatives Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and Mark Souder (R-Ind.)-had been introduced. This week, we are pleased to report that the Senate has followed suit with its introduction of S. XXXX. Sponsored by Senator(s?) Kay Bailey Hutchison and XXXX-these bills will restore the constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment rights of the residents of the District of Columbia.

We will continue to update you on progress concerning the litigation to repeal the D.C. gun ban. However, in the interim, please continue to contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act"--S. XXXX and H.R. 1399, respectively. Encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same!