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Neighbors doubtful violence will change

By Timothy Warren (Contact) | Friday, June 27, 2008

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Residents in one of the District's most violence-ridden neighborhoods are mostly indifferent to the prospect that handguns could legally return to the city after a 32-year ban.

"It doesn't seem like it was doing anything anyway," said Norman Day, who lives on Orren Street Northeast in Trinidad. "People can bring [guns] in from anywhere. You can't put up checkpoints everywhere. It probably won't make any difference. If anything, it might save the District some money by not hauling off anybody with a gun."

Many residents in the Ward 5 neighborhood in Northeast - the site of one of the most violent crime sprees in recent city history - have been hardened to the frequent violence and responses by the Metropolitan Police Department.

Since April 1, seven homicides, 20 assaults with dangerous weapons and 16 robberies have occurred, eliciting widespread media coverage and prompting the police to put up vehicle checkpoints to quell further violence.

Much of the violence has been committed by neighborhood gangs whose members - armed with everything from handguns to assault rifles - are fighting over turf and retaliating for past attacks.

"You can't stop [gun violence]; it's a part of life around here," said Trinidad resident A.V. Bundy, who said her granddaughter was killed by a stray bullet several years ago. "We won't even go outside for the Fourth of July. You can't tell the fireworks from the gunshots."

Mrs. Bundy said she will not buy a gun to protect herself because she has children in the house and does not want them to grow up with weapons.

"I won't even let them play with squirt guns," she said.

Trinidad is part of the 5th Police District, which has recorded 22 homicides so far this year, one more than in all of 2007.

"It's all going to remain the same with or without the ban," said Carolyn Green, a Trinidad resident. "I already feel unsafe here morning, noon and night."

Others saw the ban as the last remaining barrier between occasional violence and all-out chaos.

"That's the worst thing they could ever do," Staples streets Northeast. "Most of that shootings come from the young kids. I hate to see what's gonna happen now."

Earlier in the day, gun advocates rejoiced outside of the Supreme Court building.

"I'm very pleased with the decision, but at the same time, I am a bit suspicious of the possible restrictions that could come down," said Arlington. "You shouldn't have to check your rights to enter the District. I have my gun in my house and I mostly use it for target practice but would definitely use it if someone tried to break in."

Northern Virginia, which has no such ban.

"You can easily dispute the idea that the ban on guns has decreased crime in the District," he said.

Mr. Sarousi said he is much more likely to consider moving into the District now that he is allowed to bring his gun with him.