Justice Department Sues Montgomery County Over New Gun Restrictions

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Maryland, alleging that the county’s recently enacted Bill 23-26 violates the Second Amendment. The law creates 100‑yard exclusion zones around thousands of locations—including parks, schools, libraries, places of worship and courthouses—making it effectively impossible for licensed gun owners to carry firearms in daily life. The Justice Department, represented by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, says the ordinance conflicts with the Supreme Court’s recent Wolford decision, which struck down similar concealed‑carry bans.

Montgomery County Council approved the measure on July 21, and County Executive Marc Elrich signed it into law. The county argues the bill complies with a Maryland Supreme Court ruling and includes an exemption for permit‑holders traveling on public highways within the exclusion zones. The county will respond to the federal suit in court.