Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Maryland's Handgun Licensing Law

Ruling Based on 2022 Supreme Court Decision; Governor Wes Moore Indicates Potential Appeal

Maryland's handgun licensing law, which required fingerprinting, training, and a waiting period before a gun purchase, has been struck down by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as unconstitutional.
The court's decision was based on a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that requires gun laws to be 'consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.'
The law was challenged by gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Maryland Shall Issue, who argued that the law was overly restrictive and infringed on Second Amendment rights.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed disappointment at the ruling and stated his commitment to continue fighting for the law, indicating a potential appeal.
The ruling is part of a wider trend of gun control laws being challenged and overturned in courts across the U.S., following the 2022 Supreme Court decision.