The nation’s capital treats gun owners like criminals. Even after a Supreme Court
smackdown in 2008, Washington still has the country’s most stringent
gun-control laws. The city’s anti-firearm ordinances are so convoluted
and beyond the norm that average Americans can find themselves in big
trouble for doing something that is entirely legal in almost every
state. The District, however, is slowly changing its tune.
The Washington Times has confirmed that D.C. city council Chairman Phil Mendelson will introduce a bill this week to partially decriminalize possession of unregistered firearms and ammunition for nonresidents. Mr. Mendelson, at-large Democrat, expects to announce the proposed changes in a press conference Monday. His legislation will allow those arrested in the District on firearms charges to choose administrative disposition of the charge, which means paying a fine and not getting a criminal record.
D.C. residents caught with unregistered guns or ammunition will still be charged with the misdemeanor crime, which carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. It’s unclear if visitors who have already pled guilty in the District will have the opportunity to expunge their record if this law is enacted.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/6/dc-recoils-from-gun-prosecutions/
The Washington Times has confirmed that D.C. city council Chairman Phil Mendelson will introduce a bill this week to partially decriminalize possession of unregistered firearms and ammunition for nonresidents. Mr. Mendelson, at-large Democrat, expects to announce the proposed changes in a press conference Monday. His legislation will allow those arrested in the District on firearms charges to choose administrative disposition of the charge, which means paying a fine and not getting a criminal record.
D.C. residents caught with unregistered guns or ammunition will still be charged with the misdemeanor crime, which carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail. It’s unclear if visitors who have already pled guilty in the District will have the opportunity to expunge their record if this law is enacted.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/6/dc-recoils-from-gun-prosecutions/
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