June 23, 2022
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Meg Butler - (410)-841-3683
Senator Ready: NY Concealed Carry Law Struck Down - Maryland Should Follow
June 23, 2022 - The Supreme Court ruled today that requiring “proper cause” to carry a handgun in public for self-defense is a constitutional violation of the 2nd Amendment. This ruling has a direct impact on Maryland’s current law regarding law-abiding citizens ability to obtain concealed carry permits. Currently in Maryland, the law states that citizens who wish to wear and carry a handgun in public for self-defense must provide a “good and substantial reason” to do so.
“I have helped lead the fight in Maryland to make us a “Shall Issue” state, including sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to do so for several years. This issue has been repeatedly ignored or shot down by the Democratic majority in the General Assembly,” said Senator Justin Ready.
“Maryland’s out-of-the mainstream statute restricting law-abiding citizens does not make the state safer. Our current law has the effect of elevating property, or a person who carries a lot of money with them because of their business, ahead of other law-abiding citizens.The Supreme Court’s common sense ruling shows that it is long past time we return the right of personal self-defense to the people of Maryland,” Ready concluded.
This ruling from the Supreme Court clears the way for legal challenges to Maryland’s restrictions. Maryland will likely have to at least change their current law to be in accordance with the SCOTUS ruling.
Forty-two states and D.C are Shall Issue jurisdictions. Fourteen states have Constitutional Carry, meaning that they do not require a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun. None of these laws have resulted in an increase of violent crime in these states. In 2013 the Maryland General Assembly passed a major gun control law. However, the murder rate in Maryland has risen dramatically since that time.
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