Court Denies Stay in DC Concealed Carry Case

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the District of Columbia’s handgun ban unconstitutional in 2008, the city council continued to put up barriers to owning and carrying handguns.

Last week, a court ruled that the district’s “good reason” restriction for concealed carry was unconstitutional. The government asked for an immediate administrative stay of this ruling. Yesterday, the court denied the request:

Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr., announced his decision this morning, and set two important dates. By June 22, SAF and its co-plaintiffs must file papers opposing the city’s stay pending appeal request, and the city must respond by June 26. This development is seen as a clear win by SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb.
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“Bearing arms is a civil right,” Gottlieb observed, “not a government-regulated privilege subject to arbitrary discretion. This case isn’t about making a political statement, but about making the District of Columbia comply with an earlier court ruling, and with the constitution.

Photo credit: john bunce (Creative Commons) – Some Rights Reserved