Norton Warns that Without Statehood, Future Republican Congress Could Overturn D.C.'s Gun Violence Prevention Laws

Statement

Today, during National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) warned that, without statehood, a future Republican Congress could overturn the District of Columbia's gun violence prevention laws. In previous Congresses, Republicans have introduced legislation to eliminate D.C.'s gun violence prevention laws, including its ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and its universal background checks.

"The District of Columbia has worked to protect its citizens by enacting common-sense gun violence prevention laws, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines," Norton said. "With the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, I am heartbroken and mindful that a future Republican Congress could overturn the laws of the duly elected D.C. Council. I have defeated each effort in Congress to overturn D.C.'s gun violence prevention laws, but the ultimate remedy for congressional interference in local D.C. matters is statehood for D.C."

The following current Republican Members of Congress have introduced bills or amendments during their tenures to overturn D.C. gun violence prevention laws: Senator Rand Paul (KY), Senator Marco Rubio (FL), Senator Joni Ernst (IA), Representative Jim Jordan (OH), Representative Thomas Massie (KY), Representative Louie Gohmert (TX), and Representative David Schweikert (AZ).

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