WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has opted not to take up a legal challenge against Maryland’s stringent gun licensing law.
In a brief order issued on Monday, the Court declined to provide any detailed explanation, a common practice in such cases.
Opponents of the law contended it infringes upon Second Amendment rights by imposing excessive barriers for individuals seeking to purchase handguns. Established in the wake of the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the law mandates safety training, fingerprinting, and passing a background check before acquiring a handgun. Proponents assert these requirements are reasonable measures intended to enhance public safety.
Initially, a three-judge panel from an appeals court ruled against the law following a significant Supreme Court decision in 2022 that broadened gun ownership rights and stated that firearm regulations must align with the nation’s historical context. However, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later reinstated the law, concluding it is consistent with traditional firearm regulations.
