Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to return to the citizens in Washington D.C. the Second Amendment right to bear arms. This landmark decision on the Second Amendment overturns the Washington D.C. gun ban enacted in 1976, one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country.

Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), who was one of many Members of Congress to sign onto a letter to the Supreme Court stating their support for removing the ban, made the following statement after today’s ruling:

“I am encouraged and relieved to see that the Supreme Court upheld the individual right for all Americans to bear arms under their Second Amendment Right. Since the day our Constitution was signed Americans have understood they had the right to bear arms and defend themselves, it is important that we uphold these values and rights guaranteed to every citizen.

 “A vote maintaining this ban would have been a discredit to our Constitution and an action that would be marked as completely un-American.

“Again, I am thankful for the Court’s wise decision today to remove the ban, and establish the role of firearms for lawful purposes such as self-defense, hunting, and sport shooting.”