Trump Administration Ends Rifle Prosecutions, D.C. Black Residents Fear Impact

August 20, 2025

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has announced that her office will no longer pursue felony charges against individuals in Washington, D.C. who carry registered rifles or shotguns in public. This policy shift, announced on August 19, follows Supreme Court rulings that expanded Second Amendment protections and aims to focus prosecution efforts on violent crime and illegal gun trafficking instead. While legal gun owners will benefit from this change, the decision has sparked significant concerns among African Americans and other minorities in D.C., who fear the policy could increase dangers in their communities.

Who is affected

African Americans and other minorities in Washington, D.C.
Legal owners of registered rifles and shotguns
Residents of neighborhoods with higher rates of gun violence
Black and Latino residents who report feeling singled out during police sweeps
Small businesses and restaurants experiencing customer declines

What action is being taken

U.S. Attorney's office is no longer pursuing felony charges solely for carrying registered rifles or shotguns
Prosecutors are continuing to target violent crime and illegal gun trafficking
Federal enforcement is being heightened across the District with National Guard stationed at Union Station
Military vehicles and soldiers are joining MPD and federal officers outside Nationals Park
Police are conducting mass sweeps in neighborhoods

Why it matters

D.C. is a majority-Black city where gun violence disproportionately impacts Black residents
Many fear loosening enforcement will create new dangers in already vulnerable neighborhoods
Residents worry the policy could deepen racial disparities in enforcement
Black men remain more likely to be arrested for unregistered possession or prior convictions
The policy change occurs during heightened federal presence that many residents find intimidating
Local businesses are suffering financial impacts from increased enforcement activities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer