WASHINGTON -- D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry said he wants to suspend the city's handgun control law.

Barry has proposed to suspend the law for 90 days, saying that would allow citizens who want a gun in their homes to legally register them and make it easier for police to trace guns used in crimes.

The council member also said he wants to stiffen penalties for any illegal use of handguns. Under the bill, some penalties for gun crimes could double from five to 10 years or more.

The District's gun ban has been on the books since 1977.

Barry said he would not own a gun, but others want them.

"Let's not only make our city safer, but people ought to feel safer," said Barry. "Now I'm opposed to any citizen having a gun in his or her house, but there are some citizens who, they ought to have these guns registered, so we should accommodate that."

Most council members shied away from Barry's bill, but some said it could give a more realistic picture of how many guns are in the city.

"This may be a way to add control over guns that are in the District, so I'm very interested in having that conversation," said Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells.

Many said they were surprised to hear of Barry's idea to suspend the law. Citizens in downtown D.C. said they were leery of Barry's relaxed gun policy idea.

"I think it should be illegal in the city because mistakes, recklessness and general animosity can lead to shootings," said one local resident.

"Maybe the killers will get worse in the city. They are going to think it's alright to have a gun in their house and they're going to think it's alright to carry them out on the streets," said another local resident.

Council judiciary committee Chairman Phil Mendelson said he plans to look at tougher penalties for gun crimes but opposes making it easier to own a gun in the city.

"We need to reduce the number of guns in this city, and I don't support any measure that would, in fact, increase the number of guns," he said.

The council judiciary committee will have to make the final decision over whether or not the proposed bill passes.