Bills S 1082 and HR 1288 repeal the ban on handguns and restrictions on other firearms in DC.

Since the ban on handguns and assault weapons in DC, the District has enjoyed a decline in handgun violence over the last 25 years. For example, in 2000, a small 3% of recovered crime guns originated from guns sold in the District while 59% of these crime guns were traced to being purchased in other states such as Maryland and Virginia (http://action.csgv.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=21846).

The repeal of the ban on D.C.’s gun laws will endanger the safety of the general public, including local residents, tourists, public officials and law enforcement:

• Semiautomatic assault weapons will be legalized. These weapons have the ability to use high capacity (20 to 100 rounds) ammunition magazines (http://www.handgunfreedc.org/s1082109facts.fs.pdf). The Brady Campaign publishes a report called “On Target” analyzing the effectiveness of the Federal Assault Weapons Act. The report indicates that the Act has been largely effective in reducing the incidence of assault weapons used in crime from 4.82% to 1.61%. In addition, it predicts that were it not for the ban imposed by this Act, an additional 6,000 assault weapons per year would have been traced to crime in the last 10 years (http://www.bradycampaign.org/xshare/200403/on_target.pdf).

• There will be no restrictions to possess assault weapons under the controversial bills. Since S1082 and HR1288 contain no provisions that would prevent anyone from transporting assault weapons within the District, it will be difficult for law enforcement to enforce on the spot security checks to monitor this.

• The sale of semi-automatic 50 caliber sniper rifles without the requirement of a special federal license will be legalized. These weapons are being used by our troops in Iraq to destroy parked aircraft, bring helicopters down and pierce light armor. Repealing the ban on handgun ammunition that has the ability to pierce body endangers the lives of law enforcement officials. It gives criminals an advantage and a frightening edge. With the capabilities of these weapons, should they end up in criminal hands, the destructive possibilities are frightening. The Violence Policy Center reports that FBI data shows that from 1998 to 2001, one out of five law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were killed with an assault weapon. In 2004, 3 law enforcement officers were killed in Birmingham, Alabama by an SKS assault rifle that has the ability to pierce the body armor worn by police. The report adds that the SKS rifle, which sells for only $200, is the already the most common rifle encountered by police nationwide (http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20040927135213-85553.pdf).

• Revoking the Ban in DC would allow any person to openly carry and conceal loaded handguns, firearms, assault rifles in homes, places of business and any other property possessed by that person. If these properties are mere feet away from public places, the repeal can endanger the general public. The bill endorses the use of semiautomatic firearms for self protection. This means that anyone can carry and conceal these weapons anywhere, as long as they deem it necessary for self protection.

Instead of repealing laws, Congress should continue to vote on legislation that bans assault weapons and imposes further restrictions on the possession and use of other firearms. The United States leads the world in firearm violence. In 1998, 30,708 people in the United States died from firearm-related deaths. Indeed the solution to the gun crime problem lies in strengthening gun laws elsewhere, not weakening those in the District (http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/?page=firefacts).

Sign this petition now and oppose the repeal of DC’s gun laws. This petition will be sent to Representative Mark Souder (R-IN) – sponsor of HR 1288 and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) – sponsor of S 1082.

For more information, see:
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.handguncontrol.org/)
Examples of Banned Firearms That Would Be Legal in the District of Columbia under H.R. 1288 and S. 1082 (http://www.handgunfreedc.org/dcexamples.pdf)
Firearm Facts (http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/?page=firefacts)
Report by the Violence Policy Center (http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20040927135213-85553.pdf)
Save DC’s Landmark Gun Laws, Oppose S.1082 and H.R. 1288
(http://www.handgunfreedc.org/s1082109facts.fs.pdf)
Urge Congress to Oppose Repeal of DC’s Gun Laws (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=/rac/issues/alert/?alertid=6436051)

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