Jones Cosponsors Legislation To Restore 2nd Amendment Rights To D.C. Residents

JONES COSPONSORS LEGISLATION TO RESTORE 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO D.C. RESIDENTS

Today, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) joined Reps. Mark Souder (R-IN) and Mike Ross (D-AR) in sponsoring H. R. 1399, The District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, legislation to restore the fundamental rights of District of Columbia residents under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Since 1977, the District has banned the possession of all handguns not acquired and registered before that year. D.C. law also prohibits keeping an assembled rifle or shotgun in the home, effectively outlawing the use of firearms for lawful self-defense.

"Despite its gun control laws, the District of Columbia consistently has one of the highest murder rates in the nation," Congressman Jones said. "Not only is the District's gun ban unconstitutional, but it has clearly been a policy failure as well."

"Law-abiding residents of the District are being deprived their right - as Americans - to keep handguns, rifles and shotguns that are commonly kept by citizens throughout our nation for sporting use or defense of their homes, businesses, and families," Jones said. "This legislation will help ensure that law-abiding citizens are not denied their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms."

On March 9, 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Second Amendment is an individual right and concluded that the District of Columbia's ban on guns in the home is unconstitutional. The Court also rejected the argument that the Second Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia because it is not a State.

The District of Columbia Personal Protection Act would correct the District's law in order to restore the Second Amendment rights of its citizens.

For additional information please contact Kathleen Joyce in Congressman Walter B. Jones' office at (202) 225-3415.

http://jones.house.gov/release.cfm?id=512