tattedupboy
Thank God I'm alive!
All that today's Heller ruling changed was the acknowledement an individual right to keep and bear arms. While the handgun ban and the requirement that shotguns and rifles be either disassembled or fitted with trigger locks was overturned, the licensure and registration components were kept intact. In theory this means that if the city wants to keep things the way they were prior to the law being struck down, it could make the licensure and registration requirements so stringent (ie., a 10,000% increase in the registration fee), and there is nothing in this decision stopping it. Overall, I'm breathing a sigh of relief, but when all is said and done, Washington, D.C. will continue to have America's worst gun laws.
Some of the draconian laws that were unaffected by the ruling include:
The "machine gun" ban: In D.C., any gun that shoots 12 or more rounds without reloading is considered a "machine gun" and is illegal to possess there.
The ban on "sawed off" shotguns: In D.C., any shotgun with a barrel under 20 inches in length is considered a sawed off shotgun and is illegal to possess there.
Possession of unregistered ammunition: In D.C. you're only allowed to purchase or possess ammunition if you have a certificate of registration for a weapon of the same gauge or caliber. Furthermore, the ammo itself must be registered. You can go to jail for possession of unregistered ammo.
Pepper spray: Pepper spray has to be registered in Washington, D.C.
Some of the draconian laws that were unaffected by the ruling include:
The "machine gun" ban: In D.C., any gun that shoots 12 or more rounds without reloading is considered a "machine gun" and is illegal to possess there.
The ban on "sawed off" shotguns: In D.C., any shotgun with a barrel under 20 inches in length is considered a sawed off shotgun and is illegal to possess there.
Possession of unregistered ammunition: In D.C. you're only allowed to purchase or possess ammunition if you have a certificate of registration for a weapon of the same gauge or caliber. Furthermore, the ammo itself must be registered. You can go to jail for possession of unregistered ammo.
Pepper spray: Pepper spray has to be registered in Washington, D.C.