Group Takes D.C. Gun Laws to Court

WASHINGTON - A lawsuit challenging the District's strict gun laws is being heard in the D.C. Court of Appeals on Thursday.

Six D.C. residents - sponsored by the Cato Institute - say being unable to own handguns for personal use is a violation of the Second Amendment and are appealing a previous court decision.

The group lost their fight in a U.S. District Court in February, 2005.

Dennis Hannigan, legal director for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, says he believes the group will lose their appeal.

If the group wins, "it would be the first federal appeals court to strike down a gun law on Second Amendment grounds, in history," Hannigan says.

The question before the Court on Thursday is whether D.C.'s decision to prohibit citizens from keeping firearms in their homes is a violation of the Second Amendment.

A three-judge panel heard arguments from both sides.

The court will probably make a decision in a couple of months, Hannigan says.

If the plaintiffs lose, they could take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

WTOP has not been able to reach any plaintiffs in the case.

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