The Aftermath of Heller....

From: Lanier, Cathy (MPD)
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 6:35 PM
Subject: Supreme Court Update

[INDENT]Residents,
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court today struck down part of the District of Columbia's
handgun ban. I wanted to drop you a note to let you know the immediate impact of this
decision.

The Supreme Court's ruling is limited and leaves intact various other laws that apply to
private residents who would purchase handguns or other firearms for home possession. It
is important that everyone know that:
[INDENT]a.. First, all firearms must be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department's
Firearms Registration Section before they may be lawfully possessed.
a.. Second, automatic and semiautomatic handguns generally remain illegal and may not
be registered.
a.. Third, the Supreme Court's ruling is limited to handguns in the home and does not
entitle anyone to carry firearms outside his or her own home.[/INDENT]

Lastly, although the Court struck the safe storage provision on the ground that it was too
broadly written, in my opinion firearms in the home should be kept either unloaded and
disassembled or locked.

I will comply with the Court's reading of the Second Amendment in its letter and spirit. At
the same time, I will continue to vigorously enforce the District's other gun-related laws. I
will also continue to find additional ways to protect the District's residents against the
scourge of gun violence.

Residents who want additional information can visit the Metropolitan Police Website at
[url=http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/gunregistration]Metropolitan Police Department: Gun
Registration[/url]. Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the Firearms
Registration Section at 202-727-9490.

Sncerely,
Cathy Lanier
Chief of Police[/INDENT]