In a dramatic policy shift that reshapes how federal law applies in Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro declared on August 20, 2025, that her office will no longer pursue felony charges against individuals for carrying registered rifles or shotgunsunless they are using those firearms in violent crime or are otherwise disqualified from possession. The decision represents a significant departure from longstanding prosecutorial practice and reflects new interpretations of Second Amendment protections. Pirro, appointed earlier this year, framed the change as compliant with evolving legal precedent. She cited two Supreme Court landmark rulingsDistrict of Columbia v. Heller (2008), reaffirming an individuals right to possess firearms for self-defense, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), which extended that right to public carry where consistent with historical tradition. According to Pirro, applying felony charges simply for carrying a registered long gun contradicts these rulings and could be deemed unconstitutional. Despite this shift, Pirro emphasized that her office remains resolute in prosecuting firearms-related crimes. Persons using long guns in violent offenses, trafficking weapons, or possessing guns illegally will still face the full force of federal law. However, lawful citizens who follow federal and D.C. regulationsand hold valid registrationswill no longer be treated as felons based on carry alone. The change comes amid a broader security push in the capital under President Trump, who declared a crime emergency in D.C. Federal agents and National Guard troops have ramped up patrols, and authorities report the seizure of dozens of firearms. Despite these enforcement efforts, local crime data indicates a roughly 7 percent decline in overall violent crime compared to the previous year. Pirros critics argue that the new policy change undermines that enforcement strategy by weakening deterrence. Local authorities retain jurisdiction over unregistered firearms. District police may still arrest and charge individuals for illegally possessed weapons. Pirro made clear that her offices new policy applies only to long guns that are registered and possessed lawfully under D.C. law. Her approach seeks a clear boundary between lawful carry and criminal misuse, aligning prosecution with demonstrated threat rather than mere possession. Gun-rights advocates welcomed the decision as long overdue. They argue that similar laws in other strict jurisdictions have disproportionately punished lawful carriers without evidence of wrongdoing. By aligning federal enforcement with constitutional rulings, Pirros office may set precedent for other cities and states grappling with overly penal long-gun laws. Critics, however, see the move as symbolic at best and dangerous at worst. They worry that normalizing carry in publiceven with registrationscould hamper effective policing or lead to unanticipated consequences during high-stress situations. Some also question whether the shift will survive legal challenge, arguing that only Congress, not a U.S. attorney, has the authority to override local firearm laws.