Actually they can have rifles and shotguns and handguns if registered before a certain date. Rifles and shotguns must be kept unloaded and disassembled or locked with a trigger lock. A DC license to carry a pistol in a person's home was issued years ago; however, the pistol must have been registered prior to 9/24/1976, or it is illegal.
The only way to LEGALLY carry a handgun in DC is via a Federal or DC commission issued by the government or for a need of work (e.g., bank guard, armored truck, etc.) and then only in the open. Unless on official business such as picking up a prisoner, I don't even believe they allow out of state police to carry a weapon. Been a while since I visited that city and will never go back. When I used to visit, I always carried a handgun; now I can't so screw 'em....
At this time, there is a battle waging in Federal court over the right to bear arms in DC. DC attorneys are arguing that this is no longer a right of the people. Their brief states, "If a well-regulated militia is no longer needed, is the right to bear arms still necessary?" The last I heard was the Judge, Laurence Silberman, was wrestling with a statement made by the attorney for the defendants, that basically stated, it is a tough decision for a Federal judge to erase a constitution right, and if erased, what will be the next "right of the people" phrase to be overturned.
For many years, the phrase in three of the amendments, "the right of the people," meant just that, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, the right of the people to be secure in their persons....
Now, the liberals are trying to say the right of the people does not pertain to the second amendment. If this should ever be upheld in SCOTUS, then it will just be days before the other "rights of the people," phrases are attacked.
Since this is Washington DC, there is no State laws on the matter, but only Federal, so unlike the San Francisco ban that was over turned by a State judge, this ruling will have come from a Federal judge, and you can bet a lunch there will be a petition submitted to SCOTUS by whomever loses.
I would suspect, that SCOTUS may elect to hear oral arguments on this case to settle once and for all, does the second amendment allow the people the right to keep and bear arms. SCOTUS at this time sways to conservatism, so the decree might be 5-4 in favor of the right to bear arms, but they might also say that the right is also protected by states per the 10th amendment.
This suit could be moot, if the US congress gets off their Arses and changes the law. DC laws are regulated by the congress. Of course, now that the liberals have taken over, the chance of this happening is less than me winning the Megamillions this weekend.
In closing:
