MARYLAND – In a pivotal decision, a federal appeals court has overturned a longstanding Maryland handgun law, marking a significant shift in the state's approach to firearm regulations. This ruling, however, does not immediately change the current process for obtaining a handgun in Maryland.
Despite the court's decision, the Maryland State Police issued an advisory clarifying that there are no immediate changes to the handgun acquisition process. This period allows for a potential appeal, which Maryland Attorney General would have to do within 7 days.
The Fourth Circuit's ruling specifically targets the requirements previously imposed on Marylanders seeking to obtain a handgun, such as fingerprinting, mandatory training, and a waiting period of up to thirty days.
Larry Friedman, owner of "Larry's Trading Post" in West Ocean City, shared that there's been a surge in queries about the future of Handgun Qualifying Licenses (HQLs). "People are asking if they can now buy a handgun without an HQL," Friedman noted, highlighting the community's uncertainty and anticipation.
Maryland's lone Republican Congressman, Andy Harris, praised the court's decision, arguing that he feels it removes undue burdens on constitutional rights. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen expressed deep concern, labeling the decision a "disastrous consequence" of the Supreme Court's "Bruen decision," which limited states' abilities to impose firearm restrictions.
Governor Moore emphasized that the intention behind Maryland's law is not to restrict rights of responsible gun owners, but to ensure safety for all Marylanders. He vowed to continue fighting for the law.