Federal Judge Voids Several Locations as Gun-Free Zones, Maintains Parts of 2023 Gun Safety Law
Federal Judge George Russell III ruled against parts of the Gun Safety Act of 2023, a state law barring gun owners from carrying their weapons in bars, within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration, or on private property without the owner’s permission.
His ruling maintains a ban on carrying guns in amusement parks, casinos, museums, government buildings, and some other locations. Maryland Shall Issue, a gun rights advocacy organization, is considering an appeal and several other similar organizations believe parts of the Gun Safety Act violate the Constitution.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has concerns regarding the ruling, as one of his administration’s focuses has been to prevent gun violence. In just the second year of his administration, Baltimore City experienced a historic drop in homicides and Prince George’s County is now seeing a reduction in total crime.
“The Gun Safety Act of 2023 demonstrates a common sense approach to gun safety and preventing harm. The Court did not disagree. Judge Russell’s ruling upheld the law’s approach to restricting the carrying of firearms in museums, healthcare facilities, state parks and forests, mass transit facilities, school grounds, government buildings, stadiums, racetracks, amusement parks, and casinos,” said Moore spokesman and staffer Carter Elliott in a brief email.
“The Moore-Miller Administration respectfully disagrees with the Court’s opinion that similar restrictions in the law for private buildings, public demonstrations and locations selling alcohol for onsite consumption should cease to exist, and is considering all options as the case continues through the judicial system that will prevent harm to Marylanders in these locations.”
Maryland’s Assault Weapons Ban Remains Law Despite Court Challenge
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Maryland’s 2013 ban on assault weapons will remain law. Local and national Second Amendment advocacy groups are likely to appeal the court decision. Weapons including the AR-15, AK-47, and Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle were specifically listed as “excessively dangerous” and some of the numerous mass shootings of the past several years were cited in upholding the law.
“Assault weapons at issue fall outside the ambit of protection offered by the Second Amendment because, in essence, they are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense,” read the majority opinion as written by Appeals Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III. “Moreover, the Maryland law fits comfortably within our nation’s tradition of firearms regulation. It is but another example of a state regulating excessively dangerous weapons once their incompatibility with a lawful and safe society becomes apparent, while nonetheless preserving avenues for armed self-defense.”
One of the five dissenting judges, Judge Julius Richardson, cited the necessity of the Second Amendment as “a protection against tyrannical government.”
“The Second Amendment was adopted to ensure that the people are equipped to protect themselves against both public and private violence,” read the dissenting opinion. “It is a weighty responsibility, undoubtedly, and one that other nations deem unworthy of entrusting to their citizens. Yet our system does so all the same.”
Rep. Steny Hoyer Suffers Mild Stroke, Currently Recovering
Former House Democratic leader and high-ranking Democrat Steny Hoyer (D- District 5) suffered a mild stroke on Aug. 11 and is currently recovering. He is expected to return to his normal schedule before September.
“Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Margaret Mulkerrin in a statement. “Mr. Hoyer’s wife and family extend their deepest thanks to his medical team.”
Following his work on the staff of the late Sen. Daniel Brewster (D-Md.), alongside former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the mid-1960s, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate and became the youngest senate president in Maryland’s history.
He ran for lieutenant governor alongside acting Gov. Blair Lee III in 1978, but lost in a surprise to the gubernatorial ticket of Harry Hughes and Sam Bogley.
Hoyer has represented his congressional district since a 1981 special election against then-Bowie Mayor Audrey Scott (R) and has since risen in Democratic leadership as he accrued legislative tenure. He is now the longest-serving House member in Maryland’s history.
He stepped down as House Majority Leader in 2023 to make room for a new generation of leaders, and was an early endorsement for both Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Angela Alsobrooks, helping them win in highly-contested statewide races.
During the Biden Administration, he has been a major champion of domestic manufacturing and increased pay for federal workers.
Maryland Republican and Democratic U.S. Senate nominees Larry Hogan and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, sent Hoyer well wishes.
“Yumi (Hogan’s wife) and I are keeping Steny and the Hoyer family in our thoughts and prayers, and are glad to hear he is doing well,” Hogan, Maryland’s former governor, who Hoyer beat in a 1992 election, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “We wish him well as he recovers.”
Hoyer has been a longtime mentor and coach for Alsobrooks, who expressed gratitude that he was recovering well after the Aug. 11 medical episode.
“I am so glad to hear that my dear friend, Congressman Steny Hoyer is recovering well after experiencing a mild stroke this weekend,” the county executive wrote on X. “We are all wishing you a speedy recovery and know you will be back delivering for Marylanders, as you always have, very soon!