Despite the court's decision, the HQL law remains in effect until a formal mandate is issued by the court.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the Handgun Qualification License (HQL) law in Maryland unconstitutional.
The law was challenged by the nonprofit gun advocacy group Maryland Shall Issue.
The rate of gun deaths in Maryland increased by 46% from 2011 to 2020, higher than the nationwide increase of 33%.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has ruled the Handgun Qualification License (HQL) law in Maryland unconstitutional. Despite the court's decision, the HQL law remains in effect until a formal mandate is issued by the court. The law, which requires potential handgun owners to go through a qualification process, was challenged by the nonprofit gun advocacy group Maryland Shall Issue. The group argued that the law placed an undue burden on citizens' constitutional rights.
The court's decision was based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a firearm regulation is unconstitutional unless the government can show it is consistent with the nation's historical tradition. The ruling has been met with disappointment from several Maryland officials. Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, with Moore stating that the law was about protecting Marylanders from gun violence.
The ruling comes at a time when gun deaths in Maryland have seen a significant increase. According to Everystat.org, the rate of gun deaths in Maryland increased by 46% from 2011 to 2020, a rate higher than the nationwide increase of 33% during the same period.
Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott expressed disappointment in the ruling, with Moore stating that the law was about protecting Marylanders from gun violence.
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Governor Wes Moore released a statement following the Fourth Circuit Court's ruling. 'I am disappointed in the Fourth Circuit Court's decision. This law is not about stripping away rights from responsible gun owners – it's about every Marylander having the right to live free from fear.'
The law, known as the 'handgun qualification license' requirement, was challenged by the nonprofit gun advocacy group Maryland Shall Issue.
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"In a time where the proliferation of firearms is threatening the safety of our communities, we should be more, not less, careful about who has access to these tools of violence," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott in a statement.
"Today’s decision is crazy. Every responsible gun owner supports basic firearm training and keeping guns out of criminals’ hands. This decision will unequivocally lead to more gun violence and firearm related deaths," said Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson.
Despite the ruling, the HQL law remains in effect until the court issues a mandate.
According to Everystat.org, the rate of gun deaths in Maryland increased by 46% from 2011 to 2020, higher than the nationwide increase of 33%.
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Governor Wes Moore expressed disappointment in the Fourth Circuit Court’s ruling. In a statement, he emphasized that the law aims to ensure that every Marylander has the right to live free from fear, rather than stripping away rights from responsible gun owners. The governor highlighted the importance of common-sense gun laws in protecting communities from gun violence and reiterated his commitment to keeping guns out of the wrong hands.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) condemned the Fourth Circuit’s decision, labeling it a disastrous consequence of the Supreme Court’s standard that gun laws should align with those from centuries ago. Senator Van Hollen called for a reconsideration of the precedent set last year and urged the Supreme Court to overturn the Fourth Circuit’s ruling.