Overview
- On Fox News Monday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said anyone bringing a gun into Washington, D.C., should “count on going to jail,” regardless of licenses from other jurisdictions.
- Pirro clarified Tuesday on X that she supports the Second Amendment and is targeting unlawful carriers, citing D.C. licensing rules; a top Justice Department official echoed support for gun rights.
- Republican lawmakers and gun groups rebuked the threat, with Rep. Greg Steube noting he carries with D.C. and Florida permits and organizations urging national concealed-carry reciprocity.
- D.C. requires firearm registration and generally does not honor out‑of‑state permits; the stance contrasts with Pirro’s August 2025 guidance easing certain prosecutions and DOJ’s December lawsuit challenging the district’s ban on some semiautomatic rifles.
- The dispute follows the fatal shooting of licensed gun owner Alex Pretti by federal agents in January, which prompted tough comments on armed protesters from senior officials and deepened rifts with pro‑gun constituencies.