WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) supports the right of the District of Columbia to reduce violence in the city by prohibiting residents from owning handguns.  Leading a 17 Member delegation of his colleagues, Congressman Fattah filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn a decision by the United States Court of Appeals. 

That ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns based on its belief that the prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. The Second Amendment states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The Second Amendment’s broad language has often led to much debate among lawmakers.

Congressman Fattah said, “Citizens have a right to feel safe, the 1976 handgun ban was passed in order to reduce violence in our nation’s capital. The Supreme Court must recognize the District’s right to enact policy that will ultimately insure the safety of its residents.”

The Supreme Court is expected to rule in District of Columbia vs. Heller by the end of June.

To read the complete brief and view a list of Congressional co-signers visit Congressman Fattah’s website at www.house.gov/fattah.