Reply #5: Many people prefer semi-auto handguns...

[spin]

because they find a revolver more difficult to master.

The range master at the indoor range I used to shoot at had retired from the local police department. He said, "I always had a hard time qualifying with a revolver. I found reloading difficult under stress and I just wasn't a good shooter. When the department went to the Glock 9mm semi-auto, my scores improved dramatically."

I felt the ban on semi-auto handguns was ridiculous and I'm glad to see that it may disappear. However there are still restrictions:

The council proposal does not give residents blanket approval to own semiautomatic pistols, which have become the most popular kinds of handguns. It would ban magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. It also would repeal a regulation barring a gun owner from registering more than one pistol. In addition, the legislation would do away with the requirement that handgun registrants submit their weapons to D.C. police for ballistics testing.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091203642_3.html

The ten round magazine requirement doesn't really accomplish much, as an experienced shooter can drop the expended magazine and insert a new one in the blink of an eye. Repealing the regulation limiting an owner to only one semi-auto makes sense, as many shooters practice with a .22 cal semi-auto to gain proficiency that will help them master a larger caliber. The requirement to ballistic test every weapon was draconian. As a gun owner I would be hesitant to turn any of weapons over to some idiot for testing. I would be concerned that he might mistreat the weapon and at the minimum scratch the finish and at the worst misplace it.

Allowing honest citizens to own firearms for self defense in D.C. will be an interesting test. If successful, it will damage the arguments of the extreme gun control groups.