The battle between progressive gun control and the Second Amendment in the capital has changed.
Crime is down in the capital city. But that isn’t the only effect of President Donald Trump’s federalization – or refederalization, perhaps we should say – of DC. As Liberty Nation News recently reported, prosecutors in the district have been instructed not to pursue felony charges for carrying rifles or shotguns in public. That’s just one part of how the Trump administration seems to be making guns great again in DC, however. As the late, great infomercial king Ron Popeil used to say, “But wait, there’s more!”
Guns in the Streets – But No Violence
According to the US Concealed Carry Association, openly carrying a firearm – while often restricted or banned in large, Democrat-run cities – is only outright banned in four states and the District of Columbia (which, one might argue, falls under the “Democrat-run cities” category). In California, the sheriff of any county with a population under 200,000 can issue licenses to carry loaded, exposed handguns, but they’re only good in-county. In Florida, residents are allowed to open carry only when engaged in fishing, hunting, camping, or target practice at an indoor range. It’s prohibited in Illinois, New York, and DC.
Every other state in the Union – whether they regulate it or require permits or not – allows its citizens to open carry firearms.
But getting back to DC, the nation’s capital has some of the strictest gun laws in America. Semi-automatic rifles are banned, as is the possession of any firearm or ammunition not registered with the Metropolitan Police Department. There are also tons of gun-free zones, and permit holders must re-apply every two years or lose their licenses.
But the administration is making changes. While open carry is still technically illegal by the letter of the law, it has become what one might call “functionally legal” through non-enforcement. Federal prosecutors have been instructed not to pursue felony charges against people caught carrying rifles or shotguns. This direction, confirmed to the press by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, reportedly follows the guidance of the Justice Department. Much to the chagrin of left-wing “commonsense gun control” advocates, there are now more DC residents carrying guns in public – and the government isn’t doing anything about it but cheering them on.
Cutting the Red Tape – And the BS
While much of this progress has been made since Trump federalized the DC police earlier this month, a slower transformation has been taking place behind the scenes over a longer span. The Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Task Force was created back in March, and it was charged with, as the White House put it, “preventing crime, punishing criminals, preserving order, protecting our revered American monuments, and promoting beautification and the preservation of our history and heritage.”
Among the many tasks was “collaborating with appropriate local government entities to provide assistance to increase the speed and lower the cost of processing concealed carry license requests in the District of Columbia.” Thanks to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, the classic anti-gun requirement for individuals to show “proper cause” for needing a handgun permit has been interpreted as unconstitutional. While a state or municipality apparently can require a permit without violating the Second Amendment (so much for “shall not be infringed”), no government is allowed to actually deny a permit to anyone who meets all the requirements established by law to be issued one.
It changed a handful of states and numerous cities from “may issue” governments to “shall issue.” But it didn’t stop statist gun grabbers from gumming up the works however they could. In DC, the review and approval process typically took months. Now, thanks to the administration’s efforts to streamline the process, it takes an average of 4.6 days – and it’s now less costly and confusing for applicants to boot.
Furthermore, the task force is exploring ways to broaden firearm access in general, including, perhaps, permitting female concealed carry holders to tote their guns in handbags as opposed to requiring firearms to be strapped directly to the body. Also on the wish list is reciprocity for concealed carry permits from other states – at present, DC doesn’t honor any – and allowing concealed carry on public transportation. These changes would require the approval of the DC City Council, however, and that makes them a tall order indeed. Still, if the Trump administration’s federalization of the district is expanded – or even if the GOP majorities in Congress manage to overturn the Home Rule Act – anything’s possible.
Dig Deeper Into the Themes Discussed in This Article!
Liberty Vault: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen
Liberty Vault: The Constitution of the United States
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