November 22nd, 2023 by WCBC Radio
A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down Maryland’s handgun licensing law, finding that its requirements, which include submitting fingerprints for a background check and taking a four-hour firearms safety course, are unconstitutionally restrictive. In a 2-1 ruling, judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond said they considered the case in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that “effected a sea change in Second Amendment law.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said he was disappointed in the circuit court’s ruling and will “continue to fight for this law.” He said his administration is reviewing the ruling and considering its options.
Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen also disliked Tuesday’s ruling “This ruling from the Fourth Circuit is yet another disastrous consequence of the absurd new Supreme Court standard that today’s gun laws need to match those from centuries ago,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “It is a deeply misguided decision that will make Marylanders less safe. The Supreme Court needs to reconsider the ridiculous precedent it set last year, overturn the Fourth Circuit’s decision, and end this dangerous backward trend.”
