1) Kids are no longer being taught the difference between right and wrong through discipline, or about the sanctity of human life thanks mostly because of abortion, "assisted suicide (read: euthanasia)", etc.
2) Within Washington DC, private handgun ownership has been outright banned. Unfortunately, that message has not gotten to the criminals, which is why the murder rate per capita is so high every year.
3) Any reasonable attempt to clear the thugs from the streets will be met by opposition from civil libertarians, especially the ACLU, and activist bleeding heart judges, who believe criminals have the right to make you feel unsafe, even in your own home.
The absolute best thing you can do is create a grass roots movement to get any and all gun control laws in DC repealed. If current councilpeople don't want to do that, get them replaced with those that do. It is a known fact criminals are more afraid of the armed citizen than of the police. That's why crime rates have gone down in every state that has passed a concealed weapons law.
But if the people make it clear they prefer the staus quo, however, then move to Texas.