A D.C. Council member has proposed legislation that eases the way for prospective D.C. gun owners to complete a required safety course and cuts red tape in the registration process.
Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat and chairman of the council’s Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, said it is unlawful to handle a firearm in the District unless it is registered to the person holding it — there is an exception for immediate danger in the home — yet a person cannot become registered unless first they handle a gun in a safety training course.
“It’s a catch-22,” Mr. Mendelson said.
In addition to numerous technical clarifications, the bill would eliminate a vision test and the requirement that each pistol be submitted for ballistic identification as part of the registration process.
Mr. Mendelson said he will schedule a hearing in January.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.