• Federal prosecutors in D.C. will stop pursuing felony charges for carrying rifles and shotguns.
• This change is linked to Supreme Court rulings on Second Amendment rights.
• The new policy does not apply to illegal firearms or individuals with felony records.
• U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasizes the continued prosecution of firearm-related crimes.
• President Trump's administration has ramped up federal law enforcement presence in Washington.

Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., have announced they will no longer seek felony charges against individuals for the possession of registered rifles and shotguns. This shift by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro aligns with advice from the Justice Department and reflects recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings affirming Second Amendment rights. "Our resolve to prosecute crime is not lessened by defective DC code statutes," Pirro stated, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to addressing illegal firearms possession, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and ABC News.

This new policy allows for the carrying of registered firearms but preserves the option for prosecution in cases of illegal possession or use during violent crimes. The D.C. law, which has been challenged for infringing on Second Amendment rights, had made it illegal to carry such firearms without a permit, effectively barring many residents from exercising their rights. “If anyone is carrying a weapon illegally, they will absolutely be charged,” Pirro confirmed, highlighting an unwavering commitment to enforcing laws against illegal firearms, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

This policy change coincides with President Trump's intensified federal law enforcement efforts in Washington, which he claims are necessary to combat crime. Since these measures began, the administration has documented the seizure of over 76 illegal firearms. However, the city’s overall crime rates are reported to have remained stable, despite claims from Trump that crime is rampant and alarming federal officials, according to Reuters and ABC News.