US Attorney General Pam Bondi Sues Washington DC Over Unconstitutional Semi-Automatic Weapon Ban
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi has officially launched a high-profile federal lawsuit against the government of Washington, D.C., over its long-standing prohibition of semi-automatic weapons. The legal action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, December 22, 2025. This lawsuit specifically targets the Metropolitan Police Department and its refusal to register popular firearms such as the AR-15 rifle. The Department of Justice argues that the current local code effectively bans a class of firearms that are in common use for lawful purposes. This move marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to dismantle restrictive municipal gun laws. Bondi characterized the existing restrictions as an unconstitutional infringement on the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens.+4
The core of the legal challenge rests on the assertion that the District is violating binding Supreme Court precedent established in the landmark Heller decision. Justice Department attorneys stated that the city’s registration requirements create a de facto ban on protected firearms. By refusing to issue certificates for semi-automatic rifles and certain pistols, the city is allegedly forcing residents to choose between their safety and the law. The lawsuit emphasizes that these weapons are among the most popular choices for self-defense and target shooting in America today. Attorney General Pam Bondi noted that living in the nation’s capital should not prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The filing also highlights that the current policy exposes lawful gun owners to potential misdemeanor charges and fines for possession.+3
The litigation is being spearheaded by the newly established Second Amendment Section within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon joined Bondi in announcing the action and pledged to protect Americans from restrictive state and local firearm mandates. The administration argues that many of the prohibited models are restricted based on cosmetic features rather than mechanical functionality. This legal strategy aligns with the broader mission of the Trump administration to refocus federal law enforcement on constitutional protections. Supporters of the lawsuit argue that it is a necessary step to restore order and consistency to national gun ownership standards. Meanwhile, city officials in Washington have not yet provided a formal response to the specific allegations contained in the new filing.
As the case moves forward, it is expected to set a major precedent for other cities with similar semi-automatic weapon bans. The Justice Department is seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent the District from enforcing its registration ban on these types of firearms. This action follows previous directives from the DOJ that instructed federal prosecutors not to pursue certain firearm-related charges in the capital. The lawsuit has already sparked intense debate among legal scholars and civil rights advocates regarding the scope of local autonomy versus federal constitutional mandates. Many observers believe this case will eventually reach the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling on the legality of assault weapon bans. For now, the filing represents a decisive victory for Second Amendment advocacy groups who have long sought federal intervention in the District’s gun policies.
