D.C. Officials Will Not Appeal Ruling Against Strict Concealed Carry Law

WASHINGTON (WMAL) — District of Columbia officials say they won’t appeal a court ruling against the city’s “good reason” requirement, setting the stage for it to become easier for gun owners to get concealed carry permits in the nation’s capital.

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine on Thursday announced his decision not to take the case to the Supreme Court.

In July, a divided three-judge federal appeals court panel ruled that a portion of the city law infringed on residents’ Second Amendment rights. That portion required people to show “good reason to fear injury” or another “proper reason” to carry a weapon.

That requirement had remained in effect while the appeals court considered whether to re-hear the case as a full court. The appeals court announced last week it would not.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser released a statement Thursday explaining the decision:

Last week, District officials were notified that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia would not reconsider a recent decision to disallow the “good reason” requirement of the District’s concealed pistol licensing law. Following the court’s announcement, Attorney General Karl A. Racine carefully reviewed possible legal actions in consultation with District officials and decided to not seek an appeal to the United States Supreme Court citing the potential impact to jurisdictions with similar provisions in their gun laws.

“Our city knows firsthand the harm that guns can cause in a community. Far too many Washingtonians have been affected by gun violence – too many lives cut short, too many families and loved ones left suffering.
“We do not agree with the Court’s decision, and while the District will not pursue an appeal to the United States Supreme Court, this is certainly not the end of our work to reduce gun violence in Washington, DC.

In addition to the other work we are doing to stop cycles of violence and prevent gun violence, we will continue to work in partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General to ensure swift and certain prosecutions of illegal gun cases and we will work closely with the Attorney General and the Council to determine whether we need to further amend our laws.

Additionally, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to fight against Congressional efforts to trample the District’s Home Rule by further weakening our sensible gun laws.
“Today, we remain vigilant.

We will continue to put police on the streets, integrate and support our returning citizens, engage our young people, combat domestic violence, and take a range of other steps to build a safer, stronger DC.”

A video of Racine’s press conference can be viewed below:

The Associated Press Contributed to This Report