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Montgomery County worship gun ban lawsuits

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-03 22:26 UTC → 2026-08-05 16:06 UTC · added removed

In July 2026 Montgomery County, Maryland adopted enacted an ordinance (Bill 23‑26) prohibiting licensed gun holders owners from possessing firearms within 100 yards of any public assembly, assemblies, including houses of worship. The measure, passed on July 21 and enacted on July 27, was intended to enhance public safety. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division Justice warned the county it would sue to enforce the ban unless it was not applied, arguing that disarming worshippers could endanger vulnerable communities. Two days later, sue, and the Silver Spring Jewish Center and its rabbi filed a federal lawsuit challenging suit alleging violations of the ordinance, contending it infringes on First, Second, Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights amid recent anti‑Semitic incidents. Amendments. On August 3, 3 the DOJ filed its own suit seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction, asserting injunctions, arguing the ban imposes an “unsupportable burden” unsupportable burden on the right to bear arms arms. On August 4 the DOJ formally sued the county, contending the ordinance conflicts with the Supreme Court’s recent Wolford decision that struck down similar concealed‑carry bans. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the law creates 100‑yard exclusion zones around thousands of sites—parks, schools, libraries, courthouses and criminalizes ordinary travel across roughly 10,000 parcels—about 26 % places of worship—effectively preventing lawful gun owners from carrying in everyday life. Montgomery County officials maintain the county. measure complies with a Maryland Supreme Court ruling and includes a highway‑travel exemption for permit‑holders, and they will contest the federal suit in court. Both the synagogue’s and the DOJ’s lawsuits request that the court actions seek to block enforcement while the cases constitutional challenges proceed, underscoring a broader constitutional questions about national debate over gun‑free zones nationwide. around public venues.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-05 16:06 UTC Montgomery County worship gun ban lawsuits
  2. 2026-08-03 22:26 UTC Montgomery County worship gun ban lawsuits
  3. 2026-08-03 02:42 UTC Montgomery County worship gun ban lawsuit

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