Number
070977
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. HAMILTON AND DAVIS
Title
Substitute resolution authorizing and directing the City Attorney, on behalf of the City, to sign onto an amicus brief being coordinated by the Legal Community Against Violence in connection with the U.S. Supreme Court’s anticipated review of District of Columbia v. Heller, relating to the District’s laws banning most handgun possession by residents, provided that upon review of the amicus brief, the City Attorney determines that it is consistent with the intent of the Common Council expressed in this resolution.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes and directs the City Attorney to sign onto an amicus brief being coordinated by the Legal Community Against Violence in connection with the U.S. Supreme Court’s anticipated review of District of Columbia v. Heller, relating to the District’s laws banning most handgun possession by District residents, provided that upon review of the amicus brief, the City Attorney determines that it is consistent with the intent of the Common Council expressed in this resolution.
Body
Whereas, In March 2007, in a decision known as Parker v. District of Columbia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down the District’s gun laws banning most handgun possession by District residents, holding that the ban violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and
Whereas, On September 4, 2007, the District of Columbia filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court which many legal expects believe will be heard in the case now known as District of Columbia v. Heller; and
Whereas, The Parker decision is very significant because it is the only federal appellate decision in U.S. history striking down a firearm law on Second Amendment grounds, and the decision is contrary to long-standing Supreme Court precedent and hundreds of lower court decisions; and
Whereas, The Legal Community Against Vi...
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