MARYLAND – In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit declared the Handgun Qualification License (HQL) law in Maryland unconstitutional. The court’s ruling, issued on November 21, 2023, questioned the constitutionality of the HQL law codified in Md. Public Safety Article, 5-117.1.
Despite the court’s decision, the HQL law currently remains in effect, and there are no immediate changes to the process of purchasing firearms in Maryland. The ruling will only become effective once the court issues a mandate.
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.
According to Everystat.org, the rate of gun deaths in Maryland increased by 46% from 2011 to 2020, which is higher than the nationwide increase of 33%. Specifically, the rate of gun suicides in Maryland increased by 2%, while gun homicides increased by 81%. In comparison, the nationwide increase for gun suicides was 12%, and for gun homicides, it was 70%.
The Maryland State Police will provide updates on the Maryland State Police Licensing Division website and through Advisories as more information becomes available.
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AWESOME! It’s always good to slam the left for their un-American rules! We’re chipping away their power and getting back to our constitutional rights & freedoms, as we should be doing every day.
If they would go after the ones committing the crimes instead of the legal gun owners they’ll lower the death rates. This state is for the criminals not the victims. I carry every time I leave my house. I refuse to be a victim
You sound extremely paranoid.
No I read the news I know know what’s happening. The elderly are targeted. They need to put these scum bags away for a long time You can be a victim not me
Stay hydrated sounds like he has blinders on and has the iq of a rock
Do these idiots honestly believe that the murderers are buying their guns legally and going through a waiting period and background check?
After all, they certainly wouldn’t want to break the law in order to get a gun to use to murder someone.
And none of the murderers are repeat felons that have been turned loose to repeat, right?
Moore should spend more time fixing his people so they wouldn’t continue to be criminals
How about every stat.org give the race of the increase of crime, homicides im Md………. Oh but you Liberals don’t want to go there
I carry everywhere!!!!
I don’t leave the house without it
Bleeding heart socialists crying because they can’t keep us down anymore.
If y’all really care about the safety of Maryland residents, then start slamming the book on the criminals. Especially repeat offenders.
ok
so far as the constitution goes, I’m looking for a US Congress committee that deals with the national debt. The website doesn’t act like its a crisis/ state of emergency.