DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has released the following statement regarding Judge Frederick Scullin’s ruling that the local ban against public carrying of handguns is unconstitutional:

“Because of the District’s unique national security concerns, the right to carry a firearm in public must be restricted more heavily than any place else in the nation.  Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated by gunfire, and at least five others have been shot at, including Ronald Regan who was seriously wounded in 1981.  Neither the Secret Service nor the Capitol Police will disclose all incidents where they have recovered firearms, but we do know that just two years ago someone hit the White House with gunfire, and there are frequent threats on the foreign diplomatic corps.”