The DC Council has given preliminary approval to a major crime legislation package, known as the “Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024.” This legislation, proposed by Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, emerged as a response to a spike in violence in the city during 2023.
The legislation includes several key proposals aimed at enhancing public safety. One notable initiative is the creation of new gun laws in D.C., including making it an offense to fire a gun in public. Additionally, the bill proposes increasing the maximum sentence for certain gun-related crimes from one to five years. This move aligns with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s recent comments at a public safety briefing, where she emphasized the need for the District to intensify its efforts in dealing with gun-related issues.
Another controversial aspect of the legislation is the proposal to allow judges to hold adults and youth accused of certain violent crimes, such as carjacking, in jail until their trial. This proposal aims to address the increasing violence among younger demographics and the need for greater accountability.