Justice Department files lawsuit against D.C. over prohibition of AR-15s and other semiautomatic firearms.
The Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against the District of Columbia’s police department over the city’s prohibition of certain firearms, including popular models like the AR-15 and AK-47. This legal action, filed on Monday, asserts that the existing regulations infringe upon constitutional rights as outlined by the Second Amendment.
According to the Justice Department, the District’s law that effectively bans most semiautomatic rifles and restricts the registration of specific firearms is unconstitutional. The impact of these restrictions is significant, as individuals who own these firearms for legitimate purposes face potential misdemeanor charges and fines due to their inability to register the weapons with local authorities.
The legal filing argues that the city’s policy contravenes established Supreme Court rulings, specifically referencing a pivotal decision from 2008 that upheld the right of individuals to possess firearms within their homes for self-defense purposes. This ruling invalidated a previous handgun ban in the District, setting a precedent that the Justice Department claims is being violated by the current regulations governing semiautomatic rifles.
In addition to the lawsuit, the Justice Department also directed D.C. federal prosecutors not to charge individuals carrying rifles or shotguns, regardless of the context or evidence available. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro defended this directive, indicating that the blanket prohibition on carrying such firearms in D.C. contradicts Supreme Court interpretations.
This legal battle occurs amidst broader discussions about gun control and law enforcement in the nation’s capital. Reports indicate that recent federal initiatives, including a surge in law enforcement presence in Washington, have led to significant gun seizures, with hundreds of firearms being confiscated. The White House has positioned this activity as a success of President Trump’s mandated crime reduction efforts, noting that illegal gun possession has been a leading charge in arrests connected to these initiatives.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been vocal about her stance on Second Amendment rights, proclaiming that the D.C. law represents an unconstitutional infringement. She has emphasized that ensuring the right to bear arms for law-abiding citizens is paramount, regardless of their geographic location within the United States.
The Justice Department is seeking judicial acknowledgment of violations against the Second Amendment and aims to secure a ruling that would prevent D.C. police from taking action against lawful firearm possession. As the case progresses, its implications for local gun laws and the broader national conversation on gun rights continue to evolve.
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