BEN NUCKOLS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for the District of Columbia have asked a federal judge to stay his ruling that strikes down the city’s ban on carrying handguns outside the home.

Attorney General Irvin Nathan filed the request for a stay on Monday. In a ruling made public Saturday, U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin concluded that the Second Amendment gives people the right to carry a handgun outside the home for self-defense.

Following the ruling, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier instructed officers not to arrest District residents carrying registered firearms or visitors who have permission to carry guns in their home states.

Meanwhile, Mayor Vincent Gray plans to draft legislation that would comply with the court ruling.

The lawsuit challenging the city’s ban on carrying handguns outside the home was filed in 2009.

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