Norton Ridicules Congressional Re-Write of D.C.'s Gun Ban Bill (7/14/08)

Norton Ridicules Congressional Re-Write of D.C.'s Gun Ban Bill

July 14, 2008

As D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty introduced his bill today in response to the Supreme Court's recent District of Columbia v. Heller decision, Norton said that she was pleased that Fenty and the D.C. City Council, which introduced similar legislation last week, were quickly responding by writing appropriate legislation. However, Norton, who does not comment on District bills out of respect for Home Rule to set an example for other members of Congress, sharply criticized a pending congressional D.C. gun bill, H.R. 1399, Congressman Mark E. Souder (R-RI) introduced last week.

Souder's bill is, "proof that some members either don't have enough to do or know no bounds to their capacity for disrespect for democracy in the nation's capital," Norton said. She continued, "Republicans tried to overturn the city's gun bans on four different occasions and failed, even when they were in the majority. It's not surprising that Congressman Souder, who was a frequent sponsor of anti-Home Rule bills, would continue to try to overturn the city's gun laws. However, out of respect for Mayor Fenty, the D.C. Council, and District residents one would have thought he would have had the grace to wait to see what the District does. Souder's bill does not even respect the Supreme Court ruling, but instead goes well beyond what Justice Scalia's decision permits. His bill attempts to usurp the Home Rule prerogatives of the District to write its own bill. Not to worry, Souder knows full well that his bill is DOA, but he can't resist another farce for the benefit of gun enthusiasts or others who respect democracy everywhere except in the nation's capital."