Montgomery County Maryland Gun Ban on Houses of Worship Faces DOJ Lawsuit

Montgomery County, Maryland amended its concealed‑carry regulations to prohibit lawful firearms within 100 yards of any "public assembly," a category that includes parks, schools, libraries and houses of worship. Rabbi J. Menashe Shapiro and the Silver Spring Jewish Center filed a federal lawsuit claiming the ban violates their First, Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights, arguing congregants need firearms for self‑defense, especially after recent antisemitic attacks.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, represented by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, issued a letter on July 30, 2026 warning the county it will sue unless the ban is not enforced. The DOJ argues that disarming worshippers endangers vulnerable communities and urges the county to confirm the ban will not be applied. The county council passed the ban on July 21, 2026 and enacted it on July 27, 2026.