D.C. had 438 murders in 1989 and over 1300 woundings. 70% of them were gun related. This despite the fact that guns had been banned in the city 1300 . A survey of the source of the guns seized in D.C. shows that 18% originated in Virginia , 18% in Maryland and the remainder had scattered origins. An analysis showed that most are handguns, 438 are semi-automatic weapons, and the majority were expensive weapons, of law-enforcement quality or better. The District of Columbia 's location, abutting Maryland and Virginia , demonstrates that a federal law is necessary. The National Rifle Association disagrees.
The District of Columbia had 438 murders in 1989 and over 1300 woundings. 70% of them were gun related. This despite the fact that guns had been banned in the city ten years before. A survey of the source of the guns seized in D.C. shows that 52% originated in Virginia, 18% in Maryland and the remainder had scattered origins. An analysis showed that most are handguns, half are semi-automatic weapons, and the majority were expensive weapons, of law-enforcement quality or better. Washington's location, abutting Maryland and Virginia, demonstrates that a federal law is necessary. The National Rifle Association disagrees.