D.C. Government Won't Get Into Gun Business

The District of Columbia government won't be getting into the gun business.

D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson has withdrawn a bill that would allow the government to operate temporarily as a gun dealer.

Washington's sole gun dealer closed up shop earlier this year when he lost his lease. Since then, District residents have had no way to legally purchase handguns and bring them home. Federal law prohibits residents from buying handguns in other states and bringing them into the district. Three residents have sued over that law, saying it violates their Second Amendment rights.

Mayor Vincent Gray's administration is working with gun dealer Charles Sykes to find a new location for his business. Mendelson said Tuesday he'll await the result of those efforts, and if they're unsuccessful, he'll reintroduce the bill.