Quite the flip-flop from a guy who once testified before Congress in favor of the ban.

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Former D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey is shifting his position on Washington’s 31-year ban on handgun ownership as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on the issue.

Ramsey says there needs to be reasonable control over guns, but he says handgun registration can provide that control.

The former chief, who is set to take over Philadelphia’s police department in January, says the nation is not going to ban handguns and he’s taking a realistic approach to the issue. He says any weapons ban should cover assault weapons and more dangerous guns.

I’m still not entirely on the same page with this guy, though, as I’m not sure why “assault weapons” should be banned either.  If a person can be trusted with a firearm they can be trusted, right?  It shouldn’t matter if we’re talking about a .357 Smith & Wesson or an AK-47.

But progress is progress, and it’s good to see people like Ramsey coming to their senses.