Politics & Government

Gun Rights Groups Aim to Stop New Gun Law

A lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland challenging the validity of a state law banning certain weapons and clips.

By Adam Bednar

Gun rights advocates filed a lawsuit to block Maryland’s new law banning assault rifles and large capacity clips, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The newspaper reports the lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland, and that plaintiffs intend to seek an injunction preventing the law from taking effect on Oct. 1.

The new law, which was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in April, has had a rough start as the state prepares to begin enforcing new regulations.

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A surge in gun purchases ahead of the law taking effect has created a backlog of applications the Maryland State Police is trying to clear.  

Police have been forced to use employees from five state agencies to help process all of the purchase petitions. But that strategy is controversial, some Republican elected officials and gun rights advocates say it creates privacy concerns.

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Maryland State Police announced last week that residents who submit applications to purchase handguns before or on Sept. 30 would not be required to have a handgun qualification license. The new law requires a resident purchasing a handgun after Oct. 1 to take a firearms safety-training course within three years prior to buying a handgun. 


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