Case: United States v. The District of Columbia

1:25-cv-04458 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On December 22, 2025, the United States brought suit against the District of Columbia; the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD), and MPD Chief Jeffrey Carroll in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States challenged several of D.C.’s gun laws. Specifically, the US challenged D.C. Code § 7–2501.01, D.C. Code § 7-2502.02(a), and D.C. Code § 7-2501.01(3A)(A), which criminalized possession of firearms not registered with the MPD, designated c…

The United States alleged that these gun laws violated the Second Amendment because, as the Supreme Court held in Heller and Bruen, law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to possess a “firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense,” and this right extends to those arms that are “in common use today.” It further argued that the weapons included in D.C.’s ban, including AR-15 rifles and a variety of other semi-automatic rifles and pistols, are “in common use today.” The complaint alleged that the D.C. Defendants violated 34 U.S.C. § 12601 via an unconstitutional pattern or practice of preventing possession of firearms protected under the Second Amendment by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes. The United States seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent D.C. officials from denying enforcing these gun laws and “prohibiting all DC Defendants from arresting and levying fines against otherwise law-abiding citizens for possessing the AR-15 and all other firearms protected by the Second Amendment and being possessed or used for lawful purposes.”

The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Madena Mustafa (2/4/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72065418/parties/united-states-v-district-of-columbia/

Judge(s)

Mehta, Amit Priyavadan (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Darlington, Andrew (District of Columbia)

Dolin, Gregory (District of Columbia)

Fulk, Austin (District of Columbia)

Hanrahan, William Hanrahan (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Mehta, Amit Priyavadan (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Darlington, Andrew (District of Columbia)

Dolin, Gregory (District of Columbia)

Fulk, Austin (District of Columbia)

Hanrahan, William Hanrahan (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Tuetken, Adam J. (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-04458	Complaint United States of America v. District of Columbia	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025 Complaint

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Review of the Use of Monitors in Civil Settlement Agreements and Consent Decrees Involving State and Local Government Entities Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assoc. AG Vanita Gupta	Today, the Justice Department will begin implementing a set of principles and specific recommendations regarding the use ofmonitors in civil settlement agreements and consent decrees involving state …	9/13/2021	Sept. 13, 2021 https://www.justice.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72065418/united-states-v-district-of-columbia/

Last updated Sept. 8, 2026, 3:29 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Dec. 22, 2025	COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Fee Status:Filing Fee Waived) filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 12/22/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER 3 Summons View on PACER 4 Summons View on PACER 5 Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Dec. 22, 2025	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by All Plaintiffs. Case related to Case No. 1:24-cv-1828. (Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
3	Dec. 22, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Gregory Dolin on behalf of United States of America (Dolin, Gregory) (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
4	Dec. 23, 2025	ERRATA by United States of America re 1 Complaint. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Complaint)(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 12/23/2025) 1 Errata Complaint View on RECAP	RECAP
5	Dec. 29, 2025	ERRATA by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA re 1 Complaint. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Corrected Complaint)(Dolin, Gregory) (Entered: 12/29/2025) 1 Errata Corrected Complaint View on PACER	RECAP
6	Dec. 29, 2025	SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to JEFFREY CARROLL, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, District of Columbia Attorney General, and the District of Columbia Mayor. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 12/29/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 29, 2025	Notice of Error- New Case
	Dec. 29, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Dec. 29, 2025	NOTICE OF NEW CASE ERROR regarding 1 Complaint. The following error(s) need correction: Noncompliance with LCvR 5.1(c). Please file a Notice of Errata stating the error and attach the corrected complaint to include the name & full residence address of each party and file using the event Errata. COMPLIANCE DEADLINE is by close of business today. This case will not proceed any further until all errors are satisfied. (zhcn)
	Dec. 29, 2025	Case Assigned to Judge Amit P. Mehta. (zhcn)
7	Jan. 8, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Austin Fulk on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Fulk, Austin) (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
8	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by William Hanrahan, I on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
9	Feb. 4, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. JEFFREY CARROLL served on 1/29/2026 (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 02/04/2026)	RECAP
10	Feb. 4, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA served on 1/29/2026 (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 02/04/2026)	RECAP
11	Feb. 5, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Date of Service Upon the Mayor for the District of Columbia on 01/29/2026. (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 02/05/2026)	RECAP
12	Feb. 5, 2026	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the District of Columbia Attorney General. Date of Service Upon District of Columbia Attorney General 1/29/2026. Answer due for ALL D.C. DEFENDANTS by 2/19/2026. (Hanrahan, William) (Entered: 02/05/2026)	RECAP
15	Feb. 10, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Mailing re 1 Complaint by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (mg) (Entered: 02/18/2026)	RECAP
13	Feb. 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Adam J. Tuetken on behalf of All Defendants (Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	RECAP
14	Feb. 17, 2026	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 5 Errata by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 02/17/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	Feb. 17, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer AND Set/Reset Deadlines
	Feb. 17, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 14 Consent Motion for an Extension of Defendants' Responsive Pleading Deadline. Defendants shall respond to the complaint on or before March 18, 2026. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 2/17/2026. (lcapm1)
16	March 18, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 03/18/2026) 1 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 View on PACER 4 Exhibit 4 View on PACER 5 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
17	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Barry K. Arrington on behalf of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
18	March 27, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Appendix - List of Amici Curiae, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Riley, Nicolas) (Entered: 03/27/2026) 1 Exhibit - Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss View on RECAP 2 Appendix - List of Amici Curiae View on RECAP 3 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
19	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Trisha Beth Anderson on behalf of BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE (Anderson, Trisha) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
20	March 27, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Nicolas Y. Riley on behalf of BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE (Riley, Nicolas) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
21	March 27, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Stephen Prifti, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12326342. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Stephen Prifti, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing (DC), # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Riley, Nicolas) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
25	March 31, 2026	AMICUS BRIEF by BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE. (mg) (Additional attachment(s) added on 4/6/2026: # 1 Appendix) (mg). (Entered: 04/06/2026) 1 Appendix View on PACER	RECAP
	March 31, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 18 Unopposed Motion for Leave to File Brief of Former Civil Rights Division Officials, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/31/2026. (lcapm1)
	March 31, 2026	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	March 31, 2026	Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief
	March 31, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 21 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Stephen Prifti is hereby admitted pro hac vice to appear in this matter. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 3/31/2026. (lcapm1)
22	April 1, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Stephen Michael Prifti on behalf of BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE (Prifti, Stephen) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	RECAP
23	April 1, 2026	Memorandum in opposition to re 16 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 04/01/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
24	April 6, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 16 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 04/06/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	April 7, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting Defendants' 24 Unopposed Motion for an Extension of Defendants' Deadline to File a Reply Brief. Defendants shall file their Reply on or before April 29, 2026. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 4/7/2026. (lcapm1)
	April 7, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
26	April 29, 2026	REPLY to opposition to motion re 16 Motion to Dismiss, filed by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 04/29/2026)	RECAP
27	May 8, 2026	NOTICE of Intent to File Amended Complaint by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA re 16 Motion to Dismiss, (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 05/08/2026)	RECAP
28	May 14, 2026	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.(Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 05/14/2026)	RECAP
	May 14, 2026	Order on Motion to Dismiss
	May 14, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. With the United States having filed without opposition a 28 Amended Complaint, the court hereby denies as moot Defendants' 16 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/14/2026. (lcapm1)
29	May 15, 2026	Joint MOTION for Briefing Schedule by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 05/15/2026) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
30	May 15, 2026	ORDER granting 29 Joint Motion to Set Briefing Schedule. Defendants shall respond to Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint on or before June 25, 2026. Should Defendants file a Motion to Dismiss, Plaintiff's Opposition shall be filed on or before July 16, 2026, and Defendants' reply shall be filed on or before August 4, 2026. See the attached Order for additional details. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 5/15/2026. (lcapm1) (Entered: 05/15/2026)	RECAP
31	June 2, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Coffarelli on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Coffarelli, Andrew) (Entered: 06/02/2026)	RECAP
32	June 22, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Attorney Andrew Darlington terminated. (Darlington, Andrew) (Entered: 06/22/2026)	RECAP
33	June 24, 2026	NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE as to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Attorney Austin Fulk terminated. (Fulk, Austin) (Entered: 06/24/2026)	RECAP
34	June 25, 2026	MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 06/25/2026) 1 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 View on PACER 4 Exhibit 4 View on PACER 5 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
35	July 2, 2026	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, FORMER CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OFFICIALS, GIFFORDS LAW CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit - Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Appendix - List of Amici Curiae, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Riley, Nicolas) (Entered: 07/02/2026) 1 Exhibit - Brief as Amici Curiae in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss View on RECAP 2 Appendix - List of Amici Curiae View on PACER 3 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
36	July 16, 2026	RESPONSE re 34 MOTION to Dismiss Amended Complaint filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 07/16/2026)	RECAP
37	July 21, 2026	NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITY by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Attachments: # 1 Third Circuit Opinion)(Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 07/21/2026)	RECAP
	July 28, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall advise the court by August 4, 2026, whether this matter should be stayed until after the Supreme Court's decisions in Viramontes v. Cook County, No. 25-238, and Grant v. Higgins, No. 25-566. The court understands that those cases raise issues nearly identical to those in dispute here. The parties in the related case Yzaguirre v. District of Columbia, No. 24-cv-1828, have agreed to stay. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 7/28/2026. (lcapm1)
	July 28, 2026	.Order
	July 28, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. The parties shall advise the court by August 4, 2026, whether this matter should be stayed until after the Supreme Court's decisions in Viramontes v. Cook County, No. 25-238, and Grant v. Higgins, No. 25-566. The court understands that those cases raise issues nearly identical to those in dispute here. The parties in the related case Yzaguirre v. District of Columbia, No. 24-cv-1828, have agreed to a stay. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 7/28/2026. (lcapm1) Modified on 7/28/2026 to correct grammar (zakb).
38	July 30, 2026	NOTICE of Response to Court's July 28 Order by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA re Order,, (Arrington, Barry) (Entered: 07/30/2026)	RECAP
39	Aug. 4, 2026	REPLY to opposition to motion re 34 Motion to Dismiss, filed by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
40	Aug. 4, 2026	RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re Order,, filed by JEFFREY CARROLL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Tuetken, Adam) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 5, 2026	Order Staying Case
	Aug. 5, 2026	Case Stayed
	Aug. 5, 2026	MINUTE ORDER. This matter is hereby stayed pending the United States Supreme Court's resolution of Viramontes v. Cook County, No. 25-238, and Grant v. Higgins, No. 25-566. No later than 30 days after the Supreme Court issues its opinion, the parties shall meet and confer and file a Joint Status Report proposing next steps in this case. Signed by Judge Amit P. Mehta on 8/5/2026. (lcapm1)
	Aug. 5, 2026	Case Stayed. (zcll)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-DOJ federal government plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

District of Columbia

Jeffrey Carroll

Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Second Amendment (Right to Bear Arms)

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-04458

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. The District of Columbia, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47524/ (last updated 2/4/2026).