Overview
- The DOJ filed the case in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming the Metropolitan Police Department and outgoing Chief Pamela Smith as defendants.
- The suit argues D.C.’s registration rules functionally ban many commonly owned semiautomatic firearms based on cosmetic features and requests declaratory relief and a permanent injunction to stop arrests, fines, and forfeitures.
- Government lawyers cite Heller’s protection for arms in common use and contend federal authority to sue without identifying individual D.C. plaintiffs.
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city will vigorously defend its laws, while Everytown Law maintains assault‑weapon bans are constitutional under recent federal court rulings.
- The action follows the DOJ’s launch of a Second Amendment Section and parallel moves in other jurisdictions, positioning the case for potential appeals and further review.