DC Circuit Court Rules “Good Reason” Carry Requirement Unconstitutional

July 25, 2017
For Immediate Release

DC Circuit Court Rules “Good Reason” Carry Requirement Unconstitutional 

Springfield, VA –  Gun Owners of America (GOA) is celebrating a landmark victory for the Second Amendment today in a case that was decided by a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that D.C.’s “good reason” requirement for concealed carry permits is unconstitutional.

GOA submitted an amicus brief in Wrenn v. D.C., arguing against the “good reason” justification for the permitting process in Washington, D.C.

Said the court: “[T]he law-abiding citizen’s right to bear common arms must enable the typical citizen to carry a gun.”  The court’s decision represents a stunning rebuff to the District’s historical animus toward Second Amendment rights. 

Washington’s current permitting system is extremely restrictive.  In fact, living or working in a high crime area is not a sufficient reason by itself to get permission for a carry permit.

“Americans everywhere – even those living in our nation’s capital – should be able to defend themselves with a firearm,” said GOA Executive Director Erich Pratt. “GOA is happy to see the Court recognize the right to keep and bear arms and deal a blow to Washington’s draconian carry laws.”

Washington’s restrictive gun laws also affect those traveling into D.C., as Pratt points out.

“These restrictive carry laws do nothing to stop criminals, but they do leave law-abiding citizens defenseless, as shown in the tragic congressional shooting last month,” Pratt continued. “We hope Congress will soon pass concealed carry reciprocity so that honest Americans can carry their firearms across the country, as well as in the District of Columbia.” 

Erich Pratt, or another GOA spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over 1.5 million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Newsroom.

— GOA —