The Supreme Court of Maryland ruled on April 29 that Montgomery County's ordinance restricting concealed carry permit holders throughout the county is preempted by state law, a decision that Bearing Arms reports was a complete win for gun rights challengers. Plaintiffs Maryland Shall Issue, Inc. and Engage Armament — a gun retailer based in the county — had challenged the county's Bill 4-21, which had subjected state-licensed carry permit holders to a sweeping set of local restrictions that went well beyond what Maryland state law requires.

The court held that the county ordinance "is not a local law" as applied to holders of state-issued wear-and-carry permits traveling on public highways within 100 yards of a place of public assembly. That clause had effectively banned carry across much of the densely developed county, which borders Washington, D.C., and is home to more than one million residents. Because Maryland issues carry permits on a statewide basis, the court found that localities cannot layer on geographic carve-outs that nullify what the state has already granted. Permit holders can now carry in Montgomery County subject only to the conditions of their state-issued permit.

The ruling struck down additional provisions as well. The court found that the county's ghost gun ordinance was preempted by state law to the extent it applies to firearms that have already been serialized in compliance with federal and state requirements — removing a layer of local regulation that went beyond the state's own ghost gun framework. A separate county provision restricting firearms in the presence of minors — written broadly enough to sweep in lawful carry any time a child was present — was also rejected.

The case, styled as challenges by Maryland Shall Issue and Engage Armament against the county, represents one of the more complete preemption victories for gun owners in a state that already imposes strict permitting requirements at the state level. Maryland does not have a blanket statutory preemption provision like many gun-friendly states, making the court's finding that state carry licensing occupies the field against local geographic restrictions particularly significant.

The decision arrives as Maryland's firearms legal landscape continues to shift. The state legislature recently passed a bill banning the sale of Glock-style striker-fired pistols that awaits Gov. Wes Moore's signature, and a federal challenge to the state's assault weapons prohibition remains in active litigation. State officials have so far offered no public comment on whether they will urge the county to appeal to a higher court.

Montgomery County will need to revise its local ordinances to conform with the ruling. Attorneys for Maryland Shall Issue and Engage Armament have not yet announced whether they will seek attorneys' fees or pursue additional remedies following what both groups called a complete victory.