On Tuesday the National Rifle Association (NRA) sued Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) following the signing of gun control laws in his state.
The Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Association which is the state arm of the NRA stated in the lawsuit that the new laws violated both the Second and Fourteenth Amendments by enforcing “unconstitutional restrictions” on Maryland citizens as it would restrict where carrying a firearm would be permitted as well as limit who was eligible to get a carry permit.
The lawsuit has also challenged Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 824, both of which Moore signed on Tuesday, while also challenging some pre-existing state laws.
The Gun Safety Act of 2023, or Senate Bill 1, would prohibit people from carrying guns in certain sensitive areas, including in and around schools, healthcare facilities, government buildings, universities, and stadiums. House Bill 824 would increase the requirements for those who wanted to apply for a gun permit.
On Tuesday, the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action stated in a press release that the measures introduced would make carrying a firearm illegal in many areas of the state limiting the extent to which law-abiding citizens can use guns as self-defense.
The new measures following the Supreme Court’s ruling last June in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen struck down a state law that would block individuals from being able to get a concealed carry permit without exhibiting “proper cause.” Similar restrictions do exist in Maryland, however, that language was removed following Tuesday’s signing.
