Overview
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said on Fox News that anyone bringing a gun into Washington, D.C., should “count on going to jail,” dismissing out-of-state licenses.
- Rep. Thomas Massie criticized the stance, noting D.C. has issued carry permits since 2017 and that nonresidents can obtain one.
- Her comments contrast with her office’s August directive telling federal prosecutors not to seek felony charges in many rifle and shotgun carry cases.
- D.C. requires firearm registration and bars residents from registering AR-15–style rifles, while the Justice Department is suing D.C. police to challenge that ban.
- The remarks land as Republicans and gun-rights groups push back, with the NRA and leaders like Sen. John Thune defending carry rights after the fatal shooting of licensed gun owner Alex Pretti.