In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro revealed that individuals carrying rifles and shotguns in Washington D.C. might now dodge felony charges, signaling a critical change in the approach to gun laws that clashes with Donald Trump’s tough-on-crime agenda.
According to an email obtained by The Washington Post and comments made by Pirro herself, federal prosecutors in D.C. have received directions to refrain from pursuing felony charges against persons caught with rifles or shotguns, regardless of the evidence presented against them. This decision, influenced by the Justice Department, marks a stark departure from previous practices.
This situation comes at a heated moment for the Biden administration, which has recently d D.C. a “crime emergency.”
Pirro, who stepped away from Fox News in May and was appointed as D.C.’s top federal prosecutor a mere two weeks ago, argues that this new guidance aligns with constitutional rights. She stated that the district’s ban on rifles and shotguns contravenes past Supreme Court rulings in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), both of which expanded gun rights in the U.S.
“President Trump and I are unwavering in our commitment to prosecute gun crime,” emphasized Pirro. “The surge in gun case prosecutions throughout federal and local courts must be in harmony with constitutional and legal standards.”
Despite this shift, her office will still focus on prosecuting violent crimes involving firearms and complications tied to gun trafficking with rifles or shotguns.
Cases concerning illegal handgun possession are expected to continue, as these account for the bulk of firearm offenses in the District, according to The Post.
Pirro elaborated that while the memo from the Justice Department doesn’t restrict charging a felon for possessing firearms, including rifles or shotguns with large capacity magazines aligned with DC Code 22-4503, it does prevent bringing distinct charges solely for possessing a registered rifle or shotgun.
Despite Trump’s declarations this month proclaiming rampant crime levels in D.C., police statistics revealed a notable drop, marking the city’s violent crime rate at its lowest in 30 years.
On Truth Social, Trump declared, “The White House is in charge,” while boasting that his team had already confiscated 68 firearms amid their recent crackdown.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for further insights on the shift in policies championed by Pirro.
