A TOKEN VICTORY FOR D.C.

"The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to repeal virtually all of the District's gun laws, urged by gun rights groups to deliver a victory before the November election over the vehement objections of Washington leaders who denounced what they called a historic violation of home rule. Voting 250-171, the House approved the D.C Personal Protection Act, which would end the District's ban on handguns and semi-automatic weapons, roll back registration requirements for ammunition and other firearms and decriminalize possession of unregistered weapons and carrying a gun in one's home or workplace. The bill also would prohibit the District's elected mayor and council from passing gun limits that exceed federal law or 'discourage ... the private ownership or use of firearms.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where it has almost no chance of passing. With little more than a week before Congress recesses for the fall campaign, only major legislation and uncontroversial measures are likely to reach the floor, Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has indicated."

More here.




Yearbook publisher sides with district on shotgun photo: "Yearbook publishing giant Jostens yesterday said it supports Londonderry High School's decision to nix senior Blake Douglass' submitted yearbook photo featuring a broke-open shotgun. ... 'We support whatever the position of the school is, and in this case the school owns the publication because they signed the contract,' said Cole Harris, a Jostens yearbook publishing consultant, who is based in Portland, Maine.'And if guns are not allowed in the school, I feel it's inappropriate to have it in the yearbook. It's contradictory.'"