Over the past several years, we’ve seen a drastic increase in ghost guns in the District. These are guns that are sold without background checks and lack identifying information, such as serial numbers, rendering them untraceable by law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police Department has recovered a steadily increasing number of ghost guns, from three in 2017 to 263 in 2020, a number that represents 13% of all guns recovered.
Getting ghost guns out of the District is one important piece of a larger effort to address gun violence, and I’m working to do my part.
My office is working to hold ghost gun manufacturers accountable in the courts. Last year, we sued Polymer80—whose ghost guns represent the vast majority of those recovered in the District—for advertising and selling illegal guns to District consumers. In June, a judge ruled that my office’s lawsuit with Polymer80 would move forward.
Earlier today, I called on the U.S. Department of Justice to finalize federal regulations that would make it clear that ghost guns are firearms under federal law and help address the epidemic of gun violence. These actions would help improve public safety by closing a loophole that has enabled the proliferation of ghost guns.
For far too long, manufacturers of ghost guns have been able to exploit existing regulations, prioritizing their profits over the lives of residents. To help combat the gun violence epidemic and make our communities safer, the federal government must make clear that ghost guns are subject to the same regulations as any other firearm.
And earlier this month, I joined a White House meeting with seven other state attorneys general to talk about how meaningful progress can be made to help stop gun violence by holding gun manufacturers accountable when they violate state and local laws.
The District has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. But, the vast majority of guns in the District are brought in from other places with less restrictive laws.
State attorneys general routinely hold industries accountable when they dump dangerous products onto our streets. Like manufacturers of opioids or tobacco, gun manufacturers should also see their day in court.
And although several state attorneys general have filed similar lawsuits to my office’s Polymer80 suit, each of our states doesn’t operate in a silo and the actions states take to address firearms, or lack thereof, impact us all.
Thank you.
Karl A. Racine
Attorney General
OAG is Holding Several In-Person Clinics to Help DC Residents Access Rent & Utility Bill Help
If you or someone you know needs assistance applying for rental assistance support, my office is here to help. OAG attorneys and staff are partnering with local non-profit organizations to provide in-person volunteer support to help residents fill out the application for these benefits. The clinics will take place during August and September in Wards 2, 7, and 8.
STAY DC is a critical program helping DC residents pay their rent and utility bills during these challenging times. The program is meant to help families settle debts, pay landlords what they are owed and, ultimately, avoid a crisis if and when the District’s moratorium on eviction proceedings expires. But for many, the application process has been difficult. Partially as a result of application difficulties, STAY DC still has more than 80% of its assistance funds, which can be distributed to eligible residents. Since we know many of our neighbors have struggled financially during the pandemic, we want to get that help to as many individuals and families as possible.
Three of the five STAY DC clinics have already taken place. The remaining clinics will take place on:
- August 28, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Ward 7: Marshall Heights Community Development Organization: 3939 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019 - September 18, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Ward 7: East Washington Heights Baptist Church: 2220 Branch Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Residents interested in attending a clinic should take the following steps:
- Determine eligibility for STAY DC support.
- Register at this link to join one of the upcoming clinics to be paired with a volunteer who can assist. Residents can also walk up to a clinic without an appointment, but pre-registering will guarantee that someone will be available to help.
- Before going to an appointment, review the list of required documents and bring those documents to the appointment.
Residents with questions can email oagcommunity@dc.gov or go to https://oag.dc.gov/STAYDC.
Tenant Rights Now that the Public Health Emergency Has Ended
On July 25, 2021, the District’s “public health emergency” ended. Please note that we are still under a “public emergency” in the District of Columbia.
During the COVID-19 public health crisis, tenants across the District are facing tough decisions as rent and other bills are coming due in the midst of the resulting economic turmoil. OAG is working to protect District residents and help them understand their legal rights.
To find answers to common questions tenants have asked during this pandemic, on topics such as evictions, late fees, and rent, click here. A printable version of these tenant FAQs is found here. For more information on your rights, tips, and warnings during COVID-19, visit oag.dc.gov/coronavirus.
More information can also be found at coronavirus.dc.gov.
Leading 22 Attorneys General in Opposing Georgia’s Discriminatory Voting Law
This month, New York Attorney General Letitia James and I led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in opposing Georgia’s discriminatory law which would make it more difficult for millions of Georgians – especially Black Georgians – to vote. We specifically pushed back against misguided efforts to dismiss the suit against Georgia at this threshold stage. In an amicus brief filed in United States v. Georgia, we explained why the U.S. Department of Justice has a valid case that Georgia intentionally discriminated against Black and minority voters and that the case should proceed to trial. The brief also suggests that Georgia’s purported reason for adopting the law – to prevent voter fraud – is contrived and does not hold up under scrutiny, and that its true purpose is to hobble the voting power of Black Georgians.
Remembering Charlottesville
On August 12, 2017, a rally fueled by hate and violent white supremacy was held in Charlottesville, Virginia. During this demonstration of hate, a violent white supremacist drove his car through a crowd full of people protesting racism, injuring at least 19 people and killing Heather Heyer. Heather was a young activist with a big heart and a passion for justice. This day has come to be known as the Charlottesville car attack.
Acts of hate can have traumatizing impacts on communities for generations. At the most basic level, combatting hate begins with all of us coming together to acknowledge and raise awareness about its prevalence in our society. Whatever your profession, age, race, or creed, we all have a responsibility to prevent hate, and I hope you’ll stand with me and commit to taking action.
DC Property Owners to Implement Security Measures to Protect Public Safety
Earlier this week, I announced two separate nuisance lawsuits against the owner of a gas station and grocery store in Ward 8, and a settlement with the owners of a gas station in Ward 5 to address security related issues, such as gun violence and drug activity. For all three properties, my office alleges that the business owners failed to make necessary security improvements, even after violent incidents at their properties, including a homicide and a drug-related hospitalization involving a child. The lawsuits detail how a lack of attention to security by the owners of the Ward 8 properties presents an ongoing risk of harm to innocent patrons, area residents, and community members. My office is asking the Court to require the owners to address the security issues and pay damages to the District for breaking the law. In a separate settlement, the owners of a Ward 5 gas station agreed to implement additional security measures until the gas station is permanently closed as part of a redevelopment plan. These efforts will improve public safety around these sites.
Fighting Source of Income Discrimination
Yesterday, I announced settlements in three lawsuits against real estate companies accused of illegally discriminating against low-income District residents who use housing vouchers to pay rent at properties in Wards 1, 7, and 8. As a result of the settlements, the three companies will be required to pay a total of nearly $50,000 in penalties to the District, conduct annual fair housing trainings for staff, implement anti-discrimination policies, and report compliance to my office. My office filed these lawsuits to stand up for vulnerable residents and end illegal discrimination that threatens their access to housing.