WASHINGTON, D. C. – Below is a statement from Attorney General Karl A. Racine regarding his decision, in consultation with other District leaders, not to petition the Supreme Court of the United States for a writ of certiorari to review the decision in Wrenn v. District of Columbia and Grace v. District of Columbia by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit:

“Public safety is, and has always been, my paramount concern. I continue to believe the District’s ‘good reason’ requirement is a common-sense, and constitutional, gun regulation. However, we must reckon with the fact that an adverse decision by the Supreme Court could have wide-ranging negative effects not just on District residents, but on the country as a whole.

“In consultation with Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Allen and multiple stakeholders, and after careful consideration, we reached consensus that abiding by the D.C. Circuit’s ruling was the wisest course of action to protect public safety in the District and nationwide. Therefore, I have decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court.”

Background
A loss in the Supreme Court could affect similar gun regulations in other jurisdictions – including in nearby states like Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The proliferation of guns in those places can have spillover effects for the safety of District residents.

While the good-reason requirement will sunset upon the D.C. Circuit’s issuance of its mandate effectuating its ruling, the rest of the District’s reasonable regulations on who may obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm and the circumstances in which one may carry in public remain in place. A Frequently Asked Questions document detailing qualifications and restrictions for such permits is available here.