By Associated Press’s Michael Kunzelman
Washington (AP) The head of the largest U.S. attorney’s office in the country has announced a new policy that would prevent federal prosecutors in the nation’s capital from filing felony charges against individuals who own rifles or shotguns in the District of Columbia.
When someone has a criminal history that makes it unlawful to own a firearm or is accused of employing a shotgun or rifle in a violent crime, that office will keep pursuing charges. In Washington, unauthorized possession of unregistered rifles and shotguns can result in prosecution by local authorities.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirrosaid stated the modification complies with two Supreme Court rulings on gun rights and is based on advice from the Justice Department and the Office of Solicitor General.
Related Articles
-
Appeals court allows Trump to end temporary protections for migrants from Central America and Nepal
-
At least 600 CDC employees are getting final termination notices, union says
-
Gabbard slashing intelligence office workforce by 40%, cutting budget by more than $700 million
-
Obama applauds Newsom s California redistricting plan as responsible as Texas GOP pushes new maps
-
Texas can t put the Ten Commandments in certain school districts classrooms, judge says
Following her appointment by Republican President Donald Trump in May, Pirro, a former host of Fox News, has been an outspoken critic of local governments’ efforts to combat crime. Her change in policy means that, with the exception of a few cases involving permit holders, federal prosecutors will not pursue charges under the D.C. legislation that made it unlawful to carry rifles or shotguns.
The shift also coincides with Trump’s proclamation of a citywide crime emergency, which flooded Washington’s streets with hundreds of federal agents and National Guard personnel on patrol. Since the raid began this month, 76 firearms have been seized, according to the White House.
Large-capacity magazines are also included by the new rule, but pistols are exempt.
Pirro reaffirmed her and Trump’s commitment to combating gun crime, saying, “We will continue to seize all illegal and unlicensed firearms and to vigorously prosecute all crimes connected with them.”
According to Pirro, a complete prohibition on owning rifles and shotguns would be in violation of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, which declared that Americans have the right to bear weapons in public for self-defense and overturned a New York gun regulation. She also cited the District of Columbia v. Hellers ruling from the Supreme Court in 2008, which struck down the city’s ban on firearms in homes.
