Trump DOJ Sues DC Over Gun Ban

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The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has launched a federal lawsuit against Washington D.C.’s ban on semi-automatic firearms.

Story Highlights

DOJ sues D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department over AR-15 and semi-automatic firearm bans
Attorney General Pam Bondi declares D.C.’s restrictions unconstitutional under Second Amendment
New DOJ Second Amendment Section targets “blue state” gun laws affecting millions of Americans
Lawsuit leverages Supreme Court’s Bruen decision to challenge registration requirements

Trump DOJ Challenges Nation’s Capital Gun Restrictions

Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a federal lawsuit against Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department on Monday, targeting the city’s ban on semi-automatic firearms including the AR-15. The suit argues that D.C.’s registration requirements effectively prohibit law-abiding citizens from owning commonly used firearms for self-defense. Bondi declared that “living in our nation’s capital should not preclude fundamental constitutional rights,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment to Second Amendment protections.
The lawsuit represents the first major action by the newly established DOJ Second Amendment Section, created under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to challenge restrictive state and local gun laws nationwide. This specialized unit was designed to systematically target what the administration views as unconstitutional infringements on firearm ownership rights across Democrat-controlled jurisdictions.

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Historic Gun Restrictions Face Federal Challenge

Washington D.C. has maintained some of America’s strictest gun laws since 1976, including comprehensive firearms control ordinances and assault weapon bans. The city’s semi-automatic restrictions expanded during the 1990s following high-profile shootings, prohibiting firearms like AR-15s despite their legal status in over 40 states. These restrictions have forced D.C. residents to either sue individually or face potential arrest for possession of unregistered semi-automatic weapons.

The Trump administration’s challenge leverages the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which mandated that gun regulations must align with historical traditions and struck down subjective “may-issue” concealed carry laws. Post-Bruen, while D.C. adjusted some rules, the city retained broad registration bans on semi-automatics, creating the legal opening for federal intervention under constitutional grounds.

Trump DOJ Sues D.C. For Banning ‘Most Popular Firearms’ https://t.co/ggzDnx4BYF via @dailycaller

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Nationwide Gun Rights Enforcement Strategy

Dhillon’s Second Amendment Section pledges “a lot more action” against multi-thousand-dollar fees, delays, and bans affecting gun owners nationwide. The DOJ specifically targets what it calls a “pattern and practice” of refusing registration, emphasizing protection for vulnerable populations including women and disabled individuals who rely on firearms for self-defense. Bondi predicts the initiative could restore gun rights for “millions in blue states” through systematic constitutional challenges.

This lawsuit establishes a precedent for challenging similar bans in other jurisdictions, signaling a nationwide rollback of post-Bruen holdouts. The case’s outcome could significantly impact firearms manufacturers and advocates by expanding markets previously restricted by local ordinances. The administration’s aggressive approach represents a fundamental shift from previous federal gun policy, prioritizing constitutional enforcement over local public safety arguments that have historically supported such restrictions.