Assault weapon laws in Maryland have recently changed. In response to the tragedy of mass shootings in Newton, Connecticut, Fort Hood, Texas and at Virginia Tech, but to name but a few, in 2013 the Maryland General Assembly enacted the Firearm Safety Act, which banned military style rifles and shotguns (otherwise referred to generally as “assault weapons”).
Subsequently, the Maryland Appellate Courts took up a constitutional challenge, that was based on the Second Amendment right to near arms (Kolbe v. Hogan, 849 F.3d 114 2017).
Recently our appellate court supported the Firearm Safety Act. In Summary, the court held that such weapons were not protected by the Second Amendment because they were, in essence, useful only in military service. Such limitations were reasonable and laws banning their possession do not infringe on one’s right to bear arms.
If you have any questions regarding the Firearm Safety Act, please don’t hesitate to contact our Partner Paul Lewis.