Maryland Governor Poised to Sign Measure Broadly Restricting Gun Carry

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is set to sign gun restriction measures that will prevent lawful gun owners from carrying their firearms into many common settings, despite having a permit. Moore’s administration is currently checking the constitutionality of the bills before moving forward.

Constitutionality Concerns

“We’re going through and checking on the constitutionality now, but, yes, I plan on signing them soon,” Moore, a Democrat, said.

Maryland House and Senate Democrat majorities passed the bills earlier this year despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that struck down a similar New York law in their ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.

Moore called the Supreme Court’s decision in that case “wrong.” Moore made the comments during a media availability with reporters at the Maryland Capitol on April 27.

Unconstitutional Measures

However, president of local gun rights group Maryland Shall Issue, Mark Pennak, said, “Substantial parts of SB1 are blatantly unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision.”

“Maryland Shall Issue, along with others, will file a federal lawsuit challenging SB1 soon after SB1 is signed. We hope that Gov. Moore will veto it, but he has already indicated that he intends to sign the bill,” Pennak said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

Restrictions on Gun Owners

Maryland’s SB 1 states that “a person may not wear, carry or transport a firearm onto the real property of another” unless given express permission. It also bans such possession “within 100 feet of a place of accommodation.” HB 824 is the House’s companion bill to SB 1.

All gun owners, no matter their intention, who bring their gun into a “place of public accommodation,” which includes any retail establishment such as an inn, motel or hotel, restaurant or theater, and other places that “offers goods, services, entertainment, recreation, or transportation” face jail time.

In addition to SB 1, SB 86 would raise the age of possession of ordinary long guns to 21, and SB 113 will weaken a federal law that shields firearms industry members from frivolous civil lawsuits.

Supporters and Critics

Meanwhile, supporters of gun control measures praised the bills, saying these laws will reduce violence with guns and save lives.

The Maryland chapters of advocacy groups “Moms Demand Action” and “Students Demand Action,” both part of “Everytown for Gun Safety,” and member Giselle Morch, whose son was shot in a home invasion, praised SB 1.

“There are some places where guns simply don’t belong—places like polling places, schools, and bars and restaurants that serve alcohol,” Giselle Morch said in a statement.

Pennak said