WUSA9
Lesli Foster:
Maryland's gun laws could be headed to the US Supreme Court.
Lorenzo Hall:
Yeah. That's because a federal appeals court has overturned a law that put obstacles in place to own a handgun. Adam Longo has new reaction tonight from lawmakers and insight on why this is happening.
Adam Longo:
Starting Wednesday, Maryland won't be able to require training fingerprinting or a possible weight of up to 30 days to purchase a handgun.
Andy Harris, Congressman, Maryland:
I always thought it was a little bit unfair to require law abiding citizens to spend hundreds of dollars to exercise the Second Amendment right.
Adam Longo:
Maryland's lone Republican in Congress, Eastern Shore House Representative Andy Harris, celebrated the decision and predicted any appeal would be a lost cause.
Andy Harris, Congressman, Maryland:
I'd actually be surprised if this was even appealed because it's so obvious in the light of recent Supreme Court rulings that this law is simply unconstitutional.
Adam Longo:
Those recent rulings from the high court include the so-called Bruin opinion related to a New York case. Last year, justices struck down a restrictive New York gun law and ruled that firearms laws were unconstitutional unless they resembled rules in place. Around the time the Second Amendment was ratified, Maryland, Senator Democrat, Chris Van Holland had this to say, this will make Marylanders less safe. SCOTUS Supreme Court of the United States needs to reconsider its ridiculous rule, overturn this decision and end this dangerous trend.
Andy Harris, Congressman, Maryland:
It's just not proven at all that increasing gun control laws without actually enforcing the current ones on the books does anything to prevent gun violence.
Adam Longo:
Maryland Governor Westmore released a statement saying an appeal wasn't off the table. From that statement quote, I am determined to do more than just give thoughts in prayers and attend funerals, and that's why this law is vital to our administration's commitment to keeping guns out of the wrong hands and saving lives. The only thing that could change Tuesday's ruling would be the State's attorney General requesting a stay or pause on that ruling while Maryland considers an appeal. Adam Longo, WUSA9.
Also, read Are all of Maryland’s Many Gun-Free Zone Constitutional?