The state expanded its ban on black rifles and mags with “Maryland’s Firearms Safety Act of 2013.” The law was enacted on the heels of the 2012 mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. (Photo ABC2)
The Maryland ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines” is now the hands of the Supreme Court.
Last Friday, plaintiffs in the case of Kolbe v. Hogan filed a petition asking SCOTUS to review a 4th Circuit ruling upholding the Free State’s prohibition on those scary black rifles and menacing magazines.
The high court can opt to hear the case or it can choose to pass on it. If it passes, then the 4th Circuit’s asinine decision — that basically says AR- and AK-pattern rifles are unfit for civilian ownership because they’re weapons of war — would stand.
Over the years SCOTUS has been gun shy (forgive the pun) when it comes to reviewing cases that delve into this particular topic. Maybe this time it will be different now that conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch is on the bench. Then again, maybe not (The court never took up a case on this issue when Justice Scalia was there). Either way, sooner or later we’re going to need clarification that the Second Amendment means exactly what it says.
SEE ALSO: 4th Circuit Upholds Maryland ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban
“Lower courts have been making up their own rules when it comes to the Second Amendment for too long, and the Kolbe decision crossed yet another line,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, in a statement.
“The Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. The popular rifles and standard magazines banned in Maryland are some of the best tools for self-defense. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will reverse this egregious decision.”
In addition to hope, we’re going to need some luck too. SCOTUS receives around 10,000 petitions each year. Of those, it only picks about 80 cases to hear. Yes, that means that less than one percent of cases make it before the bench.
We’ll keep you posted on this. In the meantime, say a little prayer and keep your fingers crossed.
My guess is that, in the wake of the Bruen decision, they’re going to declare AWBs unconstitutional. Which means that my home state (NY) will have to figure something out to replace their AWB. I’ve already picked out which AR I want to get.
If you’re north of Westchester/Rockland counties, it’s a rather beautiful state with sensible people. Just stay out of the big cities.
Owning guns isn’t some “cool” hobby it is a the very most what this country stands for. You can’t vote and strip away rights. If a million people died tomorrow from gunfire I still would oppose any regulation. If I got shot i would still oppose any new regs. The government and criminals will always own them till the end of time and so will i. Laws only pertain to people that follow them. We don’t live in a utopian environment as democrats might have you believe. I am not rich I cannot in a gated community or have an armed security detail as most democrats have if not all.
As a family That have People that survived Auschwitz, Our family rule is to never give up our Firearms ever again.
I’m still here in the “progressive” wasteland. Most of my MSR collection was acquired after the new law in 2013, so it’s been built around the ridiculous restrictions. It’s extremely annoying to not be able to buy/build what you want without being made a criminal. One of the dumber points about the AR/AK bans is how HBAR ARs are still legal, as are AR & AK pistols & SBRs. WTF good is that? Makes no sense, just like all 2A infringements. Hopefully this law will be repealed but I’m not holding my breath. Any jobs for a marine electrician in those free states? You have lakes right? I’ll be coming soon.
Wzrd, quit thinking yourself a criminal, they are the one\’s committing treason.
Born in Baltimore and raised in Baltimore County. Will always describe Maryland as a beautiful place. From the mountains to the bay and beyond to the beaches. But left ASAP once the goofy gun restrictions started under Gov. Shaffer’s “rule”. Finally landed in Nevada where freedoms still exist and the Bill of Rights can still be read aloud (at least outside of Vegas). I recommend abandoning Maryland (read: Greater Baltimore) and letting it go the way of California. After the socialist collapse it will be good business to “rebuild”.
Left Md in 2005 for Wyoming. Even though I had a gunshop for 30 (or more) years I could not obtain a carry license. I loved where I lived and most of the people..but the political situation was just too restrictive. Unfortunately I do not think it will ever change. Look what the City Council is trying to do now…
So much for the FREE STATE being free. Concealed carry laws here are just as confining and restrictive.
**Note to self – Gotta move to a truly FREE state**
Yep. Left the People’s Republic of Maryland, I mean the “Free State”, 11 years ago. Best move my family ever made. South Dakota is much better.
Yep. Left there in 2011. I will never live in that communist state again.
I left California around fifteen years ago being tired of the United States Constitution stomping going on there. I live in the mid west United States now and will soon own a .30 caliber AR-15 with a few other semi automatic rifles. Twenty shots is the bare minimum I want for me in my home defense firearms.