A federal appeals court on Tuesday struck down Maryland’s handgun licensing law, finding that its requirements, which include submitting fingerprints for a background check and taking a four-hour firearms safety course, are unconstitutionally restrictive.

In a 2-1 ruling, judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond said they considered the case in light of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that “effected a sea change in Second Amendment law.”

The underlying lawsuit was filed in 2016 as a challenge to a Maryland law requiring people to obtain a special license before purchasing a handgun. The law, which was passed in 2013 in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, laid out a series of necessary steps for would-be gun purchasers: completing four hours of safety training that includes firing one live round, submitting fingerprints and passing a background check, being 21 and residing in Maryland.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said he was disappointed in the circuit court’s ruling and will “continue to fight for this law.” He said his administration is reviewing the ruling and considering its options.

  • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    But the right to bear arms is in no way in line with the others. Freedom of speech makes sense. Equal treatment of all citizens by the government does also. The right to play with guns is in no way comparable to this.

    Please answer me this: why should you have the right to play with guns, with few if any restrictions, when it is clear that everyone having such a right directly leads to death? Why is your right to have fun more important than other peoples’ lives?


    Edit: Why is it that no one can justify why they should have guns?? Did you trade your balls in to buy your gun?

    • Hypx@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      People need to realize that the 2A is simply obsolete. It’s irrelevant talking about original intention when that is totally irrelevant to the modern world. It’s an inevitability that the 2A goes away. The only question is how it removed.

      • TWeaK@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Australia have done pretty well with it all. Pay people money for their guns, then fine people if they still have them outside the law.

        Handguns in particular are completely unnecessary. They don’t shoot very accurately, they only exist to perpetuate violence between people.