Although a federal judge ruled Washington D.C.’s concealed carry ban unconstitutional, the vast majority of D.C. residents will still be banned from taking a gun outside their home.
The ruling was issued in July, but then placed on hold to give the city time to re-write its gun laws. Mayor Vincent Gray and city officials are working on legislation that would ban all concealed carry permits, unless the police chief decides a given person “needs” one, The Associated Press reports.
Only those who have already been assaulted, have received death threats, or have a similar personal and specific reason for carrying a gun will be able to get a permit, officials told the AP Wednesday. And getting one will be even more difficult than the already expensive and time-consuming process of getting a gun.
The new laws would also ban the guns from public transportation, public buildings, stadiums, restaurants and anywhere a public official needs to be protected.
Even so, Mayor Gray told the AP he’s not happy with the idea of anyone getting the permit. “I happen to be one that really does not support having people walking around with guns, concealed or otherwise,” he said.
An attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the city is not happy with the new laws. “In America, the police don’t determine what rights we have good reason to enjoy,” Alan Gura told the AP.