ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Supreme Court has issued a major ruling on local gun laws, finding that counties can regulate firearms near schools and other public gathering places — but cannot go so far that the restrictions impact people traveling through the area.
In a decision filed April 28, 2026, the court determined that Montgomery County exceeded its authority with portions of its firearm ordinance, particularly rules that restricted where legally permitted gun owners could carry weapons.
The case centered on a county law that banned firearms in or within 100 yards of a wide range of locations, including schools, parks, and other areas defined as “places of public assembly.”
The court ruled that some of those restrictions are allowed under Maryland law, including limits near schools, parks, libraries, and similar public gathering locations. However, it found the county went too far by expanding the definition to include places that do not qualify as public assembly areas, such as hospitals and certain government properties.
One of the most significant findings involved how the law affected drivers and travelers.
The court determined the ordinance was not a valid “local law” because it effectively restricted people with state-issued handgun permits from carrying firearms while traveling on major roadways that pass through Montgomery County. Because highways connect multiple jurisdictions, the ruling found the law had broader statewide impacts rather than being limited to local concerns.
The decision also addressed restrictions related to so-called “ghost guns,” or firearms without serial numbers. The court upheld some provisions regulating access to these weapons by minors but struck down others that it said went beyond what state law allows.
Additionally, the court rejected claims that the county’s regulations amounted to an unconstitutional taking of property, noting that the laws did not permanently deprive owners of their firearms.
The ruling sends the case back to a lower court for further proceedings and requires changes to the county’s ordinance to bring it in line with state law.
The decision is expected to influence how other Maryland counties approach firearm regulations, particularly when crafting laws that balance local safety concerns with statewide legal limits.
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