The District took a big step on Tuesday toward bringing its gun laws in line with the rest of America. While an oppressive registration requirement remains in place, the D.C. Council voted unanimously to make the overall process of becoming a handgun owner significantly less expensive and time-consuming for residents.

“I’m glad we were able to streamline some of the provisions because the law should not be unnecessarily burdensome,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Phil Mendelson told The Washington Times on Tuesday.

Asked whether there could be more changes in the future, the at-large Democrat said the laws are “a work in progress” as officials figure out the best way to comply with the 2008 Supreme Court ruling that struck down the city’s 30-year handgun ban. “As we’ve seen, how this has been implemented since the changes in the Heller decision, we’ve learned where there’s some unnecessary hurdles and things that take too long,” Mr. Mendelson said.

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