Washington, D.C. City Council Ignoring Supreme Court Ruling
— Discharge petition filed on gun ban repeal

Monday, July 28, 2008

In open defiance of the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the Washington D.C. gun control law, the City Council passed an “emergency” law that keeps in place almost all of the law that was ruled unconstitutional.

For example, though the Court ruled specifically that the city’s ban on handguns violated the Second Amendment, most handguns still cannot be registered because D.C. bureaucrats classify semi-automatic pistols as “machine guns.”

Even Dick Heller, who brought the case against Washington’s gun ban, was rejected when he tried to register his handgun because any “bottom loading” firearm is a “machine gun” according to the D.C. police.

Similarly, while the Court found that “the requirement that any lawful firearm in the home be disassembled or bound by a “trigger lock” is unconstitutional, the city kept in place the “lock up your safety” law unless the resident is in immediate danger.

The D.C. Council is thus rendering the Supreme Court victory for gun rights meaningless, while leaving residents defenseless.

Congress needs to repeal the District’s gun control law to ensure that the Supreme Court decision is not a hollow victory.

According to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the authority and responsibility to govern the District. It can simply repeal the District’s onerous gun law.

Not surprisingly, however, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has no intention of allowing the D.C. gun ban repeal legislation to come to the floor, even though it is cosponsored by more than half of the members of Congress.

To free the bill from the Speaker’s death grip, Representative Mark Souder (R-IN) has filed a discharge petition to bring the bill directly to the floor. Rep. Souder needs 218 cosigners for the petition to be successful. There are currently 109 signers.

There are not many days left in this legislative session, so it is vital that the discharge petition moves quickly. Please contact your representative and urge him or her to support the repeal of the D.C. gun ban and to sign the Souder discharge petition. You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center to send your Reps. the pre-written e-mail message below.

—– Pre-written letter —–

Dear Representative,

The Washington, D.C. city council is making a mockery of the recent Supreme Court decision supporting the individual right to keep and bear arms.

Though the Court ruled the city’s handgun ban unconstitutional, DC is still making it illegal to own most handguns. The Court also ruled that the District’s gun lock and gun storage law violates the Constitution, but under the city’s new “emergency” gun law, firearms must be kept inoperable unless there is an immediate danger to residents.

Representative Mark Souder has filed a discharge petition to bring a bill to repeal the District’s gun laws to the floor for a vote.

Please stand up for the Second Amendment and sign the Souder discharge petition.

Sincerely,

****************************

Olofson Relief Fund

David Olofson has been subjected to a gross miscarriage of justice. What happened to Olofson could happen to any American who owns a semi-automatic firearm.

He was convicted of knowingly transferring an unregistered machine gun — a standard semi-auto rifle which fired two three-round bursts and then jammed. Gun owners call that a malfunction. The federal government calls it an easy way to get a felony conviction. Olofson was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

David Olofson is an information technology professional with a wife, three children and a mortgage. Until his conviction, he was also in the National Guard.

The Olofson Relief Fund has been set up to allow concerned Americans to help the Olfoson’s make their mortgage and (their one) car payments while Dave is unable to work.

If you decide to contribute to the Olofson Relief Fund, your credit card will be charged monthly for the amount you have indicated. This will continue until Olofson is out of prison — or you notify us to discontinue the charges.

Gun Owners of America is acting as the agent for the fund. All moneys collected will be transferred regularly to the mortgage and car loan holders.

To make a monthly contribution, click: Olofson Relief Fund

To read about this case in greater detail, see: http://www.gunowners.org/op0850.htm