Posted on 06/27/2005 3:09:23 AM PDT by freepatriot32
The House Government Reform Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the District's gun control laws at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The hearing will consider current gun control laws, current policies to combat violent crimes and - most controversial - the possible effects of repealing current D.C. gun laws. The committee will also discuss constitutional issues relating to the gun laws. This hearing will be in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
According to the House Committee on Government Reform, identical bills in both the House and Senate would curb the D.C. Council and mayor's authority to regulate the possession of firearms in the city. Congressman Mark Souder, R-Ind., introduced H.R. 1288 in the House, and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, introduced S. 1082 in the Senate.
The possession of unregistered firearms has been illegal in the District since 1976. Registration of all handguns, automatic firearms and high-capacity semiautomatic firearms is also prohibited. Opponents of the restrictions say they are unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, but courts have upheld the District's gun control laws.
In 2004 there were 198 murders in the District, down 20 percent from 248 murders in 2003. According to a city press release, this is the lowest level in 18 years. Those who support the bills say that the homicide rate demonstrates the current law's ineffectiveness. Some supporters also say citizens should be allowed to use handguns for self-defense. Opponents argue the bills would flood the streets with guns and stop the decline of the murder rate.
ping
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
"Let's see how fast the repubs back down from this and run away crying when a democrat stands up and says boo like they have everything else they have proposed since they became a majority."
Bump to that. Guns in the district? Heck, no, that might mean people feel safe to walk the streets at night!
There's a Republican majority in Congress? Who'da known?
Its the best kept secret in america right now
What scares the poop out of me is the ex-governor of a "rio grande" state does not care. Let 'em in . We keep spending. That "skull and Bones " must be fascinating.
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
-Thomas Jefferson
The fascist! [/facetiousness]
Shhhh ... we aren't suppose to be noticing. :()
It won't mean a thing, unless there is concealed carry and reciprocity for Virginians (since Marylanders effectively don't have concealed carry). Well, it'll mean a little, for homeowners/apartment dwellers, but that's about it.
DC, bastion of some of the most ridiculous laws in the country, would be far better off without them. It would mean something to the people who can't arm themselves there.
Are you guys series? The Republicans have a majority? This is hugh!
It's the Republican Party which has been passing the Concealed Carry Laws. It's also the Republican Party who allowed the Assault Weapons Ban to sunset.
The Libertarians aren't even on the radar screen.
True
Rumour has it that this is, in fact, the case. However, I have seen no evidence of that since around 1998.
No evidence at all.
At the State Level, you're right.
It's also the Republican Party who allowed the Assault Weapons Ban to sunset.
Good thing too, because the Chief said he'd sign it if it hit his desk.
The Libertarians aren't even on the radar screen.
With the merger of the Dimwits and the Stupid Party proceeding at a rapid pace, someone will have to step in to fill the void forming to the right of the Republican Party, who would you have that be? Or would you prefer we continue with a single Party in what's left of America, the Republicrats? Blackbird.
You apparently need a massive dose of Exlax.
Yeah, I hear the United Crackpot Party's recruiting among the Brain Dead is going real gud.
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