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Appeals court overturns handgun ban
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - District leaders and police said Friday’s court decision to overturn the city’s 30-year handgun ban will make the streets of the nation’s capital more dangerous.
Mayor Adrian Fenty said he was outraged by the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the first time that a federal appeals court has struck down a handgun law based on the Second Amendment.
The judges also threw out the District’s requirement that registered firearms be kept unloaded, disassembled and under trigger lock.
“I am strongly opposed to the court’s decision,” Fenty said. “District residents deserve every protection afforded to them under District law.”
The District has banned handgun ownership since 1976. In 2004, a lower-court judge told six D.C. residents that they did not have a constitutional right to own handguns.
But in a 2-1 decision, the judges held that protections of the Second Amendment “are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual’s enjoyment of the right contingent” on enrollment in a militia.
“The District’s definition of the militia is just too narrow,” Judge Laurence Silberman wrote for the majority Friday. “There are too many instances of ‘bear arms’ indicating private use to conclude that the drafters intended only a military sense.”
Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said the decision gives the District “a crack in the door to join the rest of the country in full constitutional freedom.”
D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson said the ruling was made by activist, conservative judges and called their decision “frightening.” He has scheduled a March 21 hearing on reducing gun violence, citing D.C. police statistics showing that 267 gun-involved robberies and assaults were reported during the first six weeks of 2007, compared with 181 in the same period last year, a nearly 50 percent increase.
Deputy Police Chief Winston Robinson said the appeals court decision will “create a hazardous situation,” especially for children.
“More than likely, it’ll put more guns in the hands of our youth,” Robinson said.
While the district moves to petition the full Court of Appeals for a rehearing, the District’s handgun ban will remain in effect, at least until April 9.
The District could appeal to the Supreme Court. If the dispute makes it there, it would be the first case in almost 70 years to address the Second Amendment’s scope.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
smccabe@dcexaminer.com
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7:46 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 21, 2008 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
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Rose Johnson said:
I read the complaints about Ross Ridge apartments,I moved in April 22 of this year.I am having the same problems,I have not seen any mice yet and I live on the bottom floor.My air conditioner was leaking and they left nasty brown stains on my wall which have not been fixed yet,2 months ago.My carpet is wet by the door where the air conditioner is.My bathroom has mold and water stains all over the ceiling above shower head,and stain marks streaking all the way down the tile.I was told there is a leak upstairs and that needed to fixed first before they could fix mine,but that was 2 1/2 weeks ago.Also there is mold around the ceiling along with the water spots.My refrigerator door was not shutting for a month,and was leaving cold air out ,running more than it should have,the light stayed on constantly,open the door and water flys out at you.Took door off and said to take out light bulb.Well frig is still dripping.dishwasher is not bolted to counter,it falls out.They do not fix anything.
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Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have an update on the ongoing suit of Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Does anyone here know of someone that currently lives there? Has Ross Ridge made any changes or renovations to their apartments? Thank you in advance for your response.
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Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have any update on Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Thank you.
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Examiner Reader said:
I currently live in Morgan Properties Towson Crossing Apartments. I have been complaining about the mice infestation for over 2 years now. I was told the infestation was because of the renovations. They even put in there newsletter ways to control the infestation by using peppermint oil. This was something I told them I was trying. The exterminator they sent even said there are alot of holes around the baseboard of the floors that needs repairs. With our cheap renovation which consisted of spray painting the bathroom tub and shower, we also got new carpet in the halls, new number signs outside the apt building but no concern, help or remedy to the infestation.
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Examiner Reader said:
whats the status of this case... I live in the apartments now and am having the same problems
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Examiner Reader said:
Towson Crossings Apartments Tenants (Morgan Properties) are experiencing the same horrific living conditions! This morning one of the tenants posted a message in reference to the tenants moving out and the rodents moving in. Ignored work requests, filthy surroundings, trash and filth;I have encountered mice, waterbugs, roaches, crickets, spiders, in less than a month in my newly renovated $880+ top floor, 2-bedroom apartment. I'm so tired of tip toeing through my apartment out of fear of seeing/stepping on something. Its nerve wrecking for someone who maintains cleanliness, work hard to have to find peace outside of "what's considered home". Terrified Unhappy Tenant of Towson Crossings
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