Afghan National Charged in D.C. National Guard Shooting Pleads Not Guilty

February 4, 2026
2:05 pm

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An Afghan national, recently charged in the shocking November 26, 2025, shooting involving D.C. National Guard personnel, stood before a federal courtroom on Wednesday and entered a not guilty plea. This incident, unfolding in the heart of the nation's capital, saw the suspect allegedly open fire on Guard members stationed amid heightened security post-election tensions. Details from court filings paint a picture of a chaotic confrontation, with the accused—evacuated from Afghanistan during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal—now facing serious firearms-related charges in a jurisdiction notorious for its iron-fisted gun laws. For the 2A community, this case is a stark reminder of the double standards baked into America's patchwork of firearm regulations. D.C.'s draconian restrictions, including its may-issue permitting process that's been repeatedly struck down yet stubbornly persists in practice, didn't stop this alleged shooter from accessing a weapon—likely underscoring how criminals and unauthorized users bypass bureaucracy while law-abiding citizens jump through endless hoops. It's a textbook example of why blanket gun control fails: the National Guard troops, armed and trained, were targeted in a no-go zone for self-defense rights, raising questions about vulnerability in gun-free paradises. Pro-2A advocates should watch closely as this unfolds; if the suspect's path to the firearm involved illegal trafficking or post-evacuation lapses in vetting, it bolsters arguments for national reciprocity and prioritizing border security over disarming patriots. The implications ripple outward. With plea negotiations looming, expect D.C. officials to double down on anti-gun rhetoric, potentially fueling calls for even tighter federal oversight on National Guard deployments or immigrant vetting tied to firearms access. Yet, this tragedy flips the script: it highlights how restricted carry rights leave protectors exposed, demanding we push harder for constitutional carry nationwide. 2A warriors, use this as ammo in your advocacy—share the facts, demand accountability, and remind everyone that the right to self-defense isn't negotiable, no matter the zip code or backstory.

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For the 2A community, this case is a stark reminder of the double standards baked into America’s patchwork of firearm regulations. D.C.’s draconian restrictions, including its may-issue permitting process that’s been repeatedly struck down yet stubbornly persists in practice, didn’t stop this alleged shooter from accessing a weapon—likely underscoring how criminals and unauthorized users bypass bureaucracy while law-abiding citizens jump through endless hoops. It’s a textbook example of why blanket gun control fails: the National Guard troops, armed and trained, were targeted in a no-go zone for self-defense rights, raising questions about vulnerability in gun-free paradises. Pro-2A advocates should watch closely as this unfolds; if the suspect’s path to the firearm involved illegal trafficking or post-evacuation lapses in vetting, it bolsters arguments for national reciprocity and prioritizing border security over disarming patriots.

The implications ripple outward. With plea negotiations looming, expect D.C. officials to double down on anti-gun rhetoric, potentially fueling calls for even tighter federal oversight on National Guard deployments or immigrant vetting tied to firearms access. Yet, this tragedy flips the script: it highlights how restricted carry rights leave protectors exposed, demanding we push harder for constitutional carry nationwide. 2A warriors, use this as ammo in your advocacy—share the facts, demand accountability, and remind everyone that the right to self-defense isn’t negotiable, no matter the zip code or backstory.

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