Can someone explain the point of DC vs. Heller?

Question

Why does DC want to ban handguns only and not rifles and shotguns? It doesn't make sense.

Answer 1

Makes sense to me, little hard to hide a rifle (not impossible of course). The stats seem pretty clear most people are shot with a hand gun. Most crime is with a hand gun.

Answer 2

The District of Columbia's petition stated that the question presented was, "Whether the Second Amendment forbids the District of Columbia from banning private possession of handguns while allowing possession of rifles and shotguns."

Heller replied that the question was broader, to wit, "Whether the Second Amendment guarantees law-abiding, adult individuals a right to keep ordinary, functional firearms, including handguns, in their homes."

The Supreme Court adopted neither question, but came closer to the question posed by Heller in framing the question to include review of the District's prohibitions against possession of all types of firearms, and not just handguns.

Answer 3

handguns are easily concealled and carry a lot of ammo in a small package. A glock 17 can carry up to 18 rounds with a standard mag. You walk around DC with a rifle and and 18 round mag slapped on it, you gonna get some attention.