WASHINGTON, D. C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine issued the below statement on today’s ruling by United States District Court Judge Richard J. Leon that prohibits the District from enforcing a requirement that applicants for permits to carry concealed guns must state a “good reason” for doing so.

“We continue to believe our ‘good reason’ requirement for a concealed-carry permit is both constitutional and in line with similar laws in New Jersey, New York and Maryland – all of which have been upheld by federal appeals courts,” said Attorney General Racine. “Just two months ago, another judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia declined to enjoin the District from enforcing the same requirement at issue in today’s ruling. We believe that the District’s gun laws are reasonable and necessary to ensure public safety in a dense urban area, and we will request a stay of this decision while we appeal.”

A copy of Judge Leon’s order is attached.