Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 23 ruling that the proper cause requirement under the state of New York’s concealed carry law was unconstitutional, many similar concealed carry state laws across the nation have been impacted. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan announced on July 5 that, effective immediately, Maryland State Police were instructed to suspend the state’s existing “good and substantial reason” standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry permits, thus substantially lowering the barrier for gun licenses of this nature. 

Montgomery County is facing an epidemic of gun violence, which, in line with national trends, has become exacerbated following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 alone, Montgomery County has seen 15 homicides linked to firearms. Montgomery County Police have recovered 727 guns, of which 105 are Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMFs), also known as ghost guns. These numbers show a significant increase over last year’s data. In all of 2021, the department recovered a total of 1,192 guns, of which 72 were PMFs. In 2021, the Council unanimously passed legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Albornoz that would restrict the sale and transfer of ghost guns to minors. This legislation was followed by the Maryland legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 387 in March 2022, which closes a dangerous loophole that makes it difficult for law enforcement to protect the public, by banning ghost guns statewide. 

"I continue to believe that guns create immeasurably more problems, often with tragic outcomes, than they attempt to solve,” said Council President Albornoz. “This legislation will help to ensure that we do everything possible to minimize the amount of guns in our public space. I have confidence that our Maryland General Assembly will take action, but given the urgency of gun violence in our community, I felt strongly that we could not wait to take action at the local level." 

Expedited Bill 21-22 would prohibit the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions, as well as remove an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly. The statute would not apply to a law enforcement officer or a security guard licensed to carry a firearm. It also would not apply to the possession of a firearm or ammunition, other than a ghost gun or an undetectable gun, in the person’s own home or a business where the owner or designated employee has a permit to carry a firearm. 

The staff report for this bill can be found here.