The District of Columbia had 438 murders in 1989 and over 1300 woundings. 70% of them were gun related. In the first year after the ban was enacted there were only 3 murders. Pedersen said. 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.
The District of Columbia had 438 murders in 1989 and over 1300 woundings. 70% of them were gun related. In the first year after the ban was enacted there were only 3 murders. 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.