The Metro, which is Washington, D.C.’s subway, is a gun-free zone where even concealed carry permit holders cannot carry their weapons. However, that law did not stop a man with an illegal gun from reportedly shooting three people and killing one older man at a D.C. Metro station during morning rush hour last week. The rampage was only stopped when unarmed citizens tackled him, threw his gun onto the tracks, and restrained him on the platform until police arrived.
Isaiah Trotman, 31, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He allegedly killed Robert Cunningham, the 64-year-old Metro mechanic who tried to save a woman from being attacked.
Concealed Carry Banned on Metro
The horrific crime spree Wednesday may bring new support for a lawsuit challenging the District for banning carry permit holders from bringing loaded guns on the city’s public transportation.
“It’s about time we realize that law-abiding citizens have a right to defend themselves and should not be defenseless to a lunatic when riding the Metro,” George Lyon, who is the attorney for the four plaintiffs in Angelo v. District of Columbia, told me in an interview.
“I think this shooting illustrated that the Metro can be a dangerous place,” added Lyon, whose firm is Arsenal Attorneys. “There is no method of determining if somebody is there for nefarious purposes and carrying an illegal weapon.”
After the shooting spree ended, Lyon filed an amended complaint in the carry permit lawsuit to “beef up our claim for standing.” D.C. Attorney
