George Lyon will discuss gun violence and gun ownership this evening during the “Inside Story” program hosted by Ray Saurez on the Al Jazeera network at 6 pm EST. Mr. Lyon’s counterpart for the discussion will be gun control activist Vincent DeMarco.
George Lyon has been at the forefront of Second Amendment issues, particularly in the nation’s capital. In 2003 he was one of the original plaintiffs in the landmark case that resulted in the United States Supreme Court confirming that the Constitution guarantees an individual the right to own a functional firearm. That decision, District of Columbia v. Heller, overturned DC’s prohibition on owning a handgun and has become the bedrock for Second Amendment litigation. In 2009, Mr. Lyon joined with three other plaintiffs and the Second Amendment Foundation to challenge the District of Columbia’s absolute ban on carrying a firearm for personal protection outside the home. That case, Palmer v. District of Columbia, resulted in the first issuance of DC concealed carry licenses in some 40 years.
Mr. Lyon has extensive firearms training in each of handgun, shotgun and rifle. He is certified by the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department as a DC Concealed Carry Instructor. He is also certified as a firearm instructor by the Maryland State Police. He holds NRA Firearm Instructor certifications in Pistol, Personal Protection in the Home, and Range Safety Officer. He holds a federal firearms collector’s license and is the President of the DC Chapter of the Community Association for Firearms Education. Mr. Lyon has written and spoken on a variety of firearms and self-defense legal issues. Mr. Lyon has testified frequently before the DC City Council on firearms related issues. His advocacy was instrumental in effecting positive changes in several provisions of DC law, including relaxation of ammunition restrictions, allowing possession of firearms in the District in the course of training, and conforming DC law with federal law relating to armor piecing handgun ammunition and permissible shotgun barrel length.
Arsenal Attorneys is proud to have George Lyon as part of our law practice. He represents clients in civil litigation, business matters, firearms regulations, and other areas of law.
