Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

U.S. House Votes to Protect D.C. Residents’ Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Friday, July 18, 2014

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) attached an amendment to a bill providing funding to the District of Columbia that would prohibit the District from expending any funds to enforce certain gun control laws.  The amendment passed 241-181.  The amendment blocks enforcement of the Firearms Registration Amendment Act of 2008, the Inoperable Pistol Amendment Act of 2008, the Firearms Amendment Act of 2012, and the Administrative Disposition of Weapons Act of 2012.     

NRA has long supported efforts by Congress to protect the Second Amendment rights of D.C. residents.  D.C. politicians have decried these efforts as an attempt by the federal government to intercede in local matters, but a general preference for local regulation in the United States does not trump the civil rights of residents of the District.  Since 1999 NRA has supported a number of bills to protect the rights of D.C. residents, including an amendment to H.R. 2122 (1999) to repeal certain D.C. gun laws, H.R. 3193 (2004) to limit the D.C. Council’s authority to regulate firearms, an amendment to H.R. 3058 to limit funding to enforce D.C.’s gun ban, and various versions of the Second Amendment Enforcement Act (SAEA).  The most recent version of the SAEA is H.R. 3689, sponsored by Rep. Jim Jordon (R-Ohio). This bill contains a number of measures to bring the District’s laws on the acquisition and possession of firearms in line with the rest of the country, where the Second Amendment is widely respected. 

It’s unfortunate that the D.C. Council has so little regard for the constitutional rights of their constituents that federal intervention is required.  As long as the Council and Mayor’s Office deny the Second Amendment rights of D.C. residents and visitors, NRA will continue to support federal proposals aimed at protecting those rights.  Please contact your U.S. Representative and ask him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 3689 to protect the right to keep and bear arms in our nation’s capitol. 

You can contact your U.S. Representative by using the "Write Your Lawmakers" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or by phone at (202) 225-3121.

TRENDING NOW
The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in a Second Amendment case that asked whether handgun carry licensees could be presumptively banned from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property. 

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

On Jan. 22, ATF published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the agency’s approach to determining who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” and therefore prohibited from owning or receiving firearms ...

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

As America gets ready to embark on its 250th birthday celebrations, it’s a good time to assess and appreciate how lucky we are, with constitutional protections of speech and gun rights. Nothing puts that into ...

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Anti-gun legislators in Richmond have been busy ahead of the 2026 legislative session working on ways to burden your Second Amendment rights.

Second Amendment Momentum: Quick Takeaways from SHOT Show

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Second Amendment Momentum: Quick Takeaways from SHOT Show

Last week’s 48th annual SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade) Show hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)) showcased not only the latest and greatest guns and gear, but an invigorated and promising outlook for the Second ...

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

Friday, January 23, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice committee will hold a hearing on over a dozen gun control bills, including semi-automatic bans and concealed carry prohibitions. The hearing will begin at 8am.

Grassroots Spotlight – VCDL Lobby Day

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Grassroots Spotlight – VCDL Lobby Day

On January 19th, grassroots activists came together in Richmond for the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) Lobby Day, and it was a resounding success.

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

The 2026 Virginia legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are continuing their assault on your Second Amendment rights.

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

On Thursday, January 23rd, the House Public Safety Subcommittee – Firearms will hold a hearing on several pro-gun measures.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.