National Rights Group Sues Maryland Over Restrictive New Handgun Carry Law

Lady Liberty Keep and Bear Arms RKBA Midjourney 5-17-2023
File Photo Midjourney

The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Maryland Senate Bill 1, a bill signed by Gov. Wesley Moore, which has added new restrictions on where legally-licensed citizens may carry firearms for personal protection.

Joining SAF are Maryland Shall Issue, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and three private citizens, all of whom possess “wear and carry permits,” including Susan Burke of Reisterstown, Esther Rossberg of Baltimore, and Katherine Novotny of Aberdeen, for whom the lawsuit is named. They are represented by attorneys David H. Thompson and Peter A. Patterson at Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C., Mark W. Pennak at Maryland Shall Issue in Baltimore, and Matthew Larosiere from Lake Worth, Fla. The lawsuit is known as Novotny v. Moore. It was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Named as defendants are Gov. Moore, Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott D. Schellenberger, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates, Frederick County State’s Attorney J. Charles Smith III, Maryland State Police Supt. Col. Roland L. Butler, Jr., Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and Natural Resources Secretary Joshua Kurtz, in their official capacities.

“SB1 was enacted in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen last year,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb.

“Instead of trying to comply with the new guidelines set down in that decision, Maryland lawmakers scrambled to make gun laws more restrictive than they were before. Indeed, the additional restrictions make it nearly impossible to legally carry firearms for personal protection, even on public land. This is government regulation at its worst.”

“There is no well-established, representative historical analogue for the carry prohibitions included in SB1,” added SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “which appears to be in direct conflict with the Supreme Court’s directive set forth in Bruen. The new law bans permitted carrying in facilities where alcohol is served, in health care facilities, and even in museums. These restrictions are facially unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, forcing us to take this action in court.”

Plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and equitable relief, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

Novotny v. Moore


The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 720,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

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Laddyboy

It IS time to drag these UNCONSTITUTIONAL “laws” into court. It IS time for the “politicians” who SUBMIT and SIGN ONTO these UNCONSTITUTIONAL “laws” MUST be held FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE for ALL Lawyer and Court COSTS. It IS time for “politicians” who submit and sign onto UNCONSTITUTIONAL “laws” be not only held in CONTEMPT of Our American Constitution, but also are REMOVED from OFFICES INDEFINITELY for BREAKING their SWORN OATH-OF-OFFICE!

Bill

We as taxpayers are forced to pay people to take our rights away, and then we have to pay someone else if we want to get out rights back. What a great system!

gene

we don’t need to take them to the courts we need to take them to the hanging tree

Oldman

Apparently, dead and rotting fish………..

Rowboat

The whole strategy of the Communist Left is “ death by a thousand cuts” . I.E … a conspiracy of Blue State politicians to drain the coffers of pro gun organizations , while it costs them NOTHING , since the tax payers are picking up the tab for all these spurious laws they happily contrive to do implement, knowing full well that they are unconstitutional on the face of it. Politicians must be held PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for any law that they voted for that is ultimately found unconstitutional. It might teach them to do their homework before voting. Remember Pelosis… Read more »

totbs

It’s a mystery for sure. I drink that same water, so it’s got to be something else.

Rowboat

The Republicans have no testiculs and the Democraps have no anuses , therefore the crap backs up into their brains ( what little they have)!

Laddyboy

Anti-American, NON -THINKING, DemoKKKratic national COMMUNIST committee party members, THAT, vote LOCK-STEP, is what is wrong!