Reports from our nation’s capital indicate a significant shift in federal prosecution policy regarding rifles and shotguns in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has announced that federal prosecutors in the District will no longer pursue felony charges against individuals carrying rifles or shotguns, regardless of available evidence. This directive, detailed in an internal Department of Justice email, was developed in consultation with the solicitor general’s office.
This policy marks a departure from previous practice, where prosecutors regularly invoked the District’s prohibition on carrying such firearms. The change comes as the current administration expands federal law enforcement presence in the capital, citing a need to reduce crime.
Pirro, recently sworn in as the District’s top federal prosecutor, argues that D.C.’s blanket ban on carrying rifles and shotguns is unconstitutional under recent Supreme Court precedents. She cites the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision and the 2022 N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen ruling as the basis for this interpretation.
While Pirro asserts that her office will continue to charge violent crimes and firearms trafficking involving rifles or shotguns, the policy prevents separate charges for carrying registered long guns. It’s important to note that handgun prosecutions, which constitute the majority of D.C. gun cases, will not be affected.
Washington, D.C. law currently prohibits carrying rifles or shotguns outside one’s home or business without a permit, which is rarely granted. Convictions can result in up to five years’ imprisonment. The District also does not recognize out-of-state permits, a point of contention for Second Amendment advocates.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, authorities recovered 98 rifles and 38 shotguns in D.C. in 2023, alongside 2,842 pistols and revolvers. It’s crucial to understand that not all of these weapons were tied to criminal activities.
This development follows earlier reports of the administration declaring a crime emergency in the capital and deploying additional federal agents. While police data indicate violent crime in D.C. is at its lowest levels in three decades, the administration contends it remains unacceptably high.
The situation raises important questions about the balance between constitutional rights and public safety measures. As this story continues to unfold, we will provide updates on any further developments or responses from local officials and community leaders.