D.C. officials, coping with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that threw out the city's handgun ban, have drafted legislation that would do away with several remaining firearms restrictions, including safe-storage requirements and a provision that bars ownership of semiautomatic pistols.
The legislation could come up for a vote in the D.C. Council as early as Tuesday -- the same day the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill that would virtually end local handgun control in the District.
I think the phrase, "Too little, too late" is on point here.
The Supreme Court handed down its ruling on June 26th. It's now September 13th. It does not take two and a half months for a mayor and his city council to get off the dime and pass a law that conforms to what the Supreme Court requires. Even if the city charter required that a law be approved by the residents in an election, which is doubtful, they have had more than enough time to hold a special election.
Their finally getting off their duffs and doing something is plainly an attempt to head off the Congress's law which would take the handgun issue completely out of their hands. To paraphrase Walter Peck of the EPA, "We tried to do this nicely, but you thought it would be more fun to insult the Supreme Court. Well, now it's our turn, wise-asses." The District of Columbia's leadership is getting what it deserves. Instead of having a voice in how handguns and other firearms will be handled and treated in their city they will be told how they will be handled and will have to comply. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch of arrogant dirtbags.
