PROBLEM: The Ensign Amendment is a dangerous attempt to repeal D.C. gun laws that would go far beyond authorizing gun possession for self-defense in the home.

The gun lobby is attempting to push legislation through Congress, claiming that it is needed to "restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia." This is unnecessary because the D.C. government has already rewritten its laws to comply with the Supreme Court's Second Amendment decision in D.C. v. Heller.  While that decision struck down D.C.'s ban on handguns in the home, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that a wide range of gun laws are "presumptively lawful." Heller permits the types of laws that would be eliminated by this amendment.

THREAT: It would repeal D.C.’s ban on military-style weapons, allow teenagers to possess semiautomatic assault rifles, undermine federal anti-trafficking laws, and prohibit D.C. from passing laws that could “discourage” gun possession or use, even by felons, children or other dangerous persons.  

URGENCY: Repealing D.C.’s strong gun laws would threaten the safety of the citizen’s of the District, those who work in the District and visitors to the Nation’s Capital.  At a time when terrorists continue to look for ways to attack our nation, this amendment would be reckless and irresponsible.

SOLUTION: The U.S. House should reject the D.C. Voting Rights Act, as amended, in favor of a clean bill.

» Click here for more details