Supreme Court Will NOT Hear Case On Maryland Strict Gun Laws

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to Maryland’s strict handgun licensing law, effectively upholding the state’s stringent gun control measures.

At a Glance

  • Supreme Court rejects appeal against Maryland’s handgun licensing law
  • Law requires safety training, fingerprinting, and background checks for handgun purchases
  • Maryland Attorney General supports law as a tool to prevent gun violence
  • Gun-rights group vows to continue challenging firearms policies
  • Law enacted in 2013 following Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting

Supreme Court’s Decision Maintains Maryland’s Gun Control Measures

In a significant and controversial move, the U.S. Supreme Court has opted not to hear a challenge to Maryland’s strict gun licensing law.

The Second Amendment is under threat.

This decision effectively upholds the state’s rigorous handgun control measures, which have been a subject of controversy since their enactment in 2013. The law, implemented in response to the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, imposes stringent requirements on individuals seeking to purchase handguns in Maryland.

The Supreme Court’s refusal to take up the case leaves in place a ruling by the full 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had previously upheld the law’s constitutionality. This decision comes as a setback to gun-rights advocates who argue that Maryland’s regulations infringe upon Second Amendment rights.

Under Maryland’s law, residents must comply with several requirements before being allowed to purchase a handgun. These include submitting fingerprints, passing a comprehensive background check, and completing a firearms safety training course. The law also stipulates that only Maryland residents aged 21 or older can apply for a handgun qualification license, which is issued by the Maryland State Police.

Proponents of the law argue that these measures are reasonable safety precautions designed to prevent gun violence and ensure responsible gun ownership. However, critics contend that the requirements create unnecessary barriers for law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights.

Reactions to the Supreme Court’s Decision

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, a Democrat, expressed strong support for the Supreme Court’s decision. In a statement, he emphasized the law’s role in preventing gun violence and protecting communities.

“This is great news for Maryland and common-sense gun laws. This law helps prevent tragedies and keeps families safe, by keeping guns away from those who want to harm our communities,” Brown said. “Thoughts and prayers are not enough — Maryland’s Handgun Qualification Licensing Law is a key tool in our fight to end gun violence.”

Yeah, right. Of course he’d say that.

On the other side of the debate, Maryland Shall Issue, the gun-rights group that brought the case to the Supreme Court, remains committed to challenging what they perceive as infringements on Second Amendment rights. While acknowledging this setback, the group hinted at potential future legal actions.

“With respect to the [handgun qualification license] case, that is the end of the road for this particular case, but it is far from the final word on the issue,” Maryland Shall Issue wrote in a statement posted to Facebook Monday afternoon, noting that other firearms policy cases, including assault weapons bans, may be relisted on the court’s order list in coming days. “So, we wait.”

The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear this case has broader implications for the ongoing national debate over gun rights and regulation. It suggests that, at least for now, the Court is not inclined to further expand gun rights beyond its landmark 2022 ruling.

That’s worrying.