Court Supports Maryland's Handgun Licensing Rules
- A federal appeals court has upheld Maryland's handgun licensing requirements.
- The ruling confirms the legality of the state's regulations on handgun licensing.
- Maryland's strict handgun licensing rules have been validated by the court.
BALTIMORE — A federal appeals court has upheld Maryland's handgun licensing requirements, dismissing claims from gun-rights advocates that the law infringes upon Second Amendment rights. The ruling, issued by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, confirmed a previous district court decision favoring the state. Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, along with nine other judges, stated that the licensing requirement aligns with the historical tradition of firearm regulation in the United States. In a concurring opinion, Judge Allison Jones Rushing emphasized the constitutionality of the handgun license requirement, while dissenting Judge Julius Richardson argued that Maryland failed to demonstrate that its licensing law is justified by historical precedent. The court's decision comes in the wake of a significant 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights, following a series of mass shootings. The lawsuit challenging Maryland's law was initiated in 2016, targeting a requirement for individuals to obtain a special license before purchasing a handgun. The law mandates four hours of safety training, fingerprint submission, a background check, and age and residency criteria. Mark Pennak, president of Maryland Shall Issue, criticized the ruling as contrary to Supreme Court precedent and indicated plans to petition for a Supreme Court review. Supporters of the law argue that the stricter requirements serve as essential safety measures to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands, reinforcing the importance of thorough background checks and training for prospective gun owners.