As congressional opportunists prepare to hold a hearing on crime concerns in the District of Columbia, it’s essential to recognize the role they’ve played in the current state of gun violence in our city. The reality is that while D.C. doesn’t have gun stores, hunting grounds, firing ranges, gun shows or manufacturers, it grapples with a significant problem — bordering a commonwealth where guns are freely transferred with few regulations. Without meaningful federal gun control, firearms will continue to flow through its porous borders. The District needs national action on gun safety, not local interference.
The numbers are striking. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Virginia is the top source for firearms involved in D.C. gun crimes. For context, as of January 2022, Virginia had a staggering 1,596 federally licensed dealers or pawnbrokers of firearms. In the coming year, it’s set to host at least 20 gun shows. Compare that to D.C.’s numbers: one weapon industry entity — an importer — and zero manufacturers or dealers. With some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, D.C. can’t contend with a neighboring state’s overwhelming proliferation of firearms.
The city has been grappling with a growing number of firearms, extended clips, and fatal shootings. Its primary response to this crisis has been police, prosecutors and prisons. With more police per capita than any other large city, the largest United States Attorney’s Office in the country, and one of the highest incarceration rates anywhere, the suggestion that the District is soft on gun crime is laughable. Since 2018, the number of firearms recovered by police grew by 63 percent. In a span of five months, a single agency conducted more than 62,000 stops, a significant number of which were unconstitutional.
Congress has consistently been tough on crime only in rhetoric, and hypocritically soft when it comes to gun violence. Some members audaciously sported AR-15s lapel pins as they voted to override a revised criminal code that would have increased penalties for assault weapons, bombs and endangerment with a firearm. They’ve shamelessly discussed having firearms in committee rooms, and prominent figures like Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) have attempted to bring guns onto the House floor. There have been efforts to ease the penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm or ammunition, making those offenses post-and-forfeit eligible.
The same congressional members who act against their core values to meddle in local governance insist it’s in the name of public safety. But their persistent interference through disapproval resolutions and appropriations riders has hindered the District’s ability to tackle pressing health and safety issues. They’ve obstructed D.C. from implementing programs to curtail the spread of HIV via needle exchanges, regulate its marijuana market responsibly, provide essential abortion care, safeguard its citizens from potential police misconduct and bring its criminal laws up to date. This is no one’s idea of safety.
If Congress wants to do something meaningful, there are federal interventions that are popular among Americans across party lines that have seen limited or no progress on the Hill. A national ban on assault weapons would significantly reduce the number of high-capacity firearms in circulation. Implementing a national firearm tracing system would enable authorities to track the origin of firearms used in crimes, a step that would deter illegal gun sales and trafficking. Holding gun manufacturers liable for the end-use of their products would force the industry to adopt safer practices and more responsible sales techniques.
Congress is playing a dangerous game with D.C.’s safety and well-being. The time for genuine commitment and action is long overdue.
Patrice Amandla Sulton is founder and executive director of DC Justice Lab.