Blog: Gun Crimes

Appeals Court Overturns Maryland Handgun Licensing Requirement

Dec 12, 2023

A federal appeals court has overturned the Maryland licensing requirement for guns. The court said the decade-old handgun licensing statute that required fingerprinting, firearms training and a waiting period of up to 30 days violated the Second Amendment. Background Maryland’s Firearm Safety Act passed after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. The law required that handgun buyers submit fingerprints, complete a firearms training course, and wait up to 30 days for law enforcement to...

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Maryland’s Concealed Carry Restrictions

Oct 2, 2023

In a significant decision on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, a federal judge has temporarily halted sections of Maryland’s new gun legislation that limited where concealed firearms could be carried. The “ The judge, an appointee of former President Obama, ruled against the state’s ban on carrying guns in places where alcohol is sold, on private property without the owner’s consent, and at public demonstrations. However, he upheld the restriction in “sensitive places” such as...

New laws change the landscape of gun rights in Maryland

Jun 14, 2023

Maryland’s gun laws are about to undergo a significant transformation. Democratic Governor Wes Moore recently signed into law two measures that establish stricter guidelines on gun ownership and carrying. The About 114,000 Marylanders can wear and carry a firearm in public. Supporters say the law is necessary to reduce instances of violence in public spaces and increase public safety overall. Critics argue that it infringes upon the Second Amendment rights of...

An overview of Maryland’s gun laws in 2023

May 4, 2023

In 2022, after the Supreme Court ruled on the Shall-Issue vs. may-issue In a shall-issue state, an individual may acquire a license to purchase a gun provided that they pass the state’s background check. In a may-issue state, authorities have the discretion to deny a gun permit, even if the applicant passes a background check, if they have concerns about the individual outside of the scope of the background check. ...

Does Maryland have a “Stand Your Ground” Law?

May 1, 2023

Two recent shootings have sparked discussions about “Stand your Ground” laws. In one instance, a teenage boy in Missouri who was sent by his parents to pick up his younger brothers after a play date was shot by a man who reportedly said he thought the boy was “yanking on the handle of the door to his home.” In another instance, a young woman in upstate New York, who was a passenger in...

Carrying a firearm without a permit in Maryland

Mar 7, 2023

The state of Maryland requires gun owners to obtain a There are, of course, legal penalties for carrying a firearm without a permit, but what about storing a firearm in your car or carrying a firearm with a permit from another state? Transporting firearms within Maryland You can transport a firearm in your vehicle in Maryland without a permit The gun must be stored in a locked container, unloaded,...

Maryland Lawmakers Mulling Several Gun Control Measures

Feb 13, 2023

Maryland lawmakers are considering several proposals that would limit gun ownership and possession. The About 114,000 Marylanders can wear and carry a firearm in public. A gun rights group, Maryland Shall Issue, opposes the measure. The organization declared the bill “dead on arrival” and said in a statement that similar legislation has been struck down by federal courts in New York and New Jersey. Republican lawmakers also oppose the measure...

Two teenage boys shot in Baltimore

Mar 9, 2021

Baltimore Police recently responded to two separate shootings involving teenage boys. The first incident occurred in the 2000 block of W. Pratt Street in the Carrollton Neighborhood. The police, responding to a ShotSpotter alert, found a 17-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. He was allegedly approached by two men after leaving a food market who, after opening fire, fled the scene. The identifies of the suspects are unknown. Just four hours...

West Baltimore shooting leaves 10-year-old girl wounded

Mar 2, 2021

A gun battle broke out in the streets of West Baltimore leaving multiple people injured. The residents of the Parkview-Woodbrook neighborhood heard gun shots cut the malaise of a late Saturday afternoon. Three people were struck bullets including a 10-year-old girl who was caught in the middle of All three victims were treated at local hospitals and were reported in stable condition. It’s unclear what caused the outburst, but local officials were unequivocal...

Can I purchase or own a handgun after a criminal conviction?

Oct 16, 2020

Yes, but it takes time and effort to get Maryland gun rights restored. In Maryland, you need a permit to purchase and carry handguns. Maryland’s handgun licensing law was put into place in 2013 in the aftermath of the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Most people know that one of the consequences of being convicted of a felony is the loss of the right to own and purchase a gun. In...