Turmoil Reported In DC Gun Ban Case

From The Washington Times ~ The District's acting attorney general has fired the lead lawyer scheduled to argue before the Supreme Court in favor of the city's gun ban, just days before attorneys are scheduled to submit a brief in the case to the high court.

Peter J. Nickles, whose controlling style as Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's general counsel was thought to be responsible for the resignation of Attorney General Linda Singer last month, fired Alan B. Morrison last week. Mr. Morrison said he expects to have his office cleared out by Monday.

"I'm concerned for the city because I want the city to win this case ...," Mr. Morrison said yesterday. "It's troubling."

Mr. Morrison has argued cases 20 times before the Supreme Court. He was the former director of the District-based Public Citizen Litigation Group, which was founded by Ralph Nader in the 1970s, and was hired as special counsel by Mrs. Singer last year.

Mrs. Singer resigned Dec. 17 amid reports that she was frustrated with Mr. Nickles' intrusions on the duties of her office.

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