Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Defend Second Amendment Rights

Bill Would Secure for D.C. Residents the Gun Rights Reinforced by Supreme Court Decision

Apr 30, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Thursday co-sponsored legislation to secure gun rights for law-abiding residents of the District of Columbia.

“I support the Second Amendment right of all law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families,” Isakson said. “This step is essential to restoring to District residents the constitutionally guaranteed right to protect themselves.”

The Second Amendment Enforcement Act would secure for District of Columbia residents the rights reinforced by the Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. The legislation would repeal the city’s overly restrictive firearms registration system as well as restore the right of self-defense for any District resident in his or her home.

Additionally, the legislation would allow District residents to legally purchase guns and ammunition from licensed dealers in Maryland and Virginia and transport them back to their residence in the District since there are no traditional retail firearm stores in the District.

The legislation also would repeal the City Council’s ban on semiautomatic weapons and allow District residents to choose for themselves the best firearms to meet their needs. At the same time, the legislation would maintain the District’s current ban on fully-automatic machine guns.

Isakson has a long history of protecting Second Amendment rights and has earned an A rating from both the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America.