Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maryland Assault Weapons Ban

In a disappointing yet unsurprising move, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Maryland's unconstitutional ban on so-called "assault-style" rifles like the AR-15. This ruling comes despite a 2022 Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights, proving once again that some courts are more interested in pushing anti-gun agendas than upholding the Constitution.

The 10-5 decision by the Richmond, Virginia-based court is a direct attack on our Second Amendment rights. The majority opinion, written by Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, absurdly claims that these firearms are "military-style weapons" and "ill-suited for self-defense." This outdated and ignorant view disregards the millions of law-abiding Americans who own and use AR-15s for precisely that purpose.

The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), one of the plaintiffs in this case, isn't backing down. "Our objective is simple: End all bans on so-called ‘assault weapons’ nationwide. And we look forward to doing just that," said FPC President Brandon Combs. The FPC will be taking this fight to the Supreme Court, seeking justice for gun owners everywhere.

Misguided Majority Opinion

Judge Wilkinson and eight other judges argue that Maryland's ban aligns with America's tradition of firearms regulation. They claim the ban is necessary to maintain a "lawful and safe society," ignoring the fact that these regulations disarm law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to stop criminals.

The Dissent Speaks Truth

In a powerful dissent, Judge Julius Richardson exposes the flaws in the majority's reasoning. He rightly points out that the majority "misconstrues the nature of the banned weapons" and exaggerates their unlawful uses. Judge Richardson’s dissent emphasizes that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right. It’s a fundamental liberty that shouldn’t be subjected to the whims of anti-gun judges.

The Battle Isn't Over

This ruling is a setback, but it’s not the end. The FPC is committed to challenging this decision all the way to the Supreme Court. The organization’s strategic litigation program aims to eliminate these immoral laws and create a world where liberty prevails.

The FPC, joined by the Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, will not rest until the rights of gun owners are fully restored. This case, Bianchi v. Brown, is a critical part of that mission.

Conclusion

Maryland's assault weapons ban is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. The 4th Circuit's ruling is deeply flawed and must be overturned. The Firearms Policy Coalition and its allies are ready to take this fight to the highest court in the land. We stand with them in their commitment to defend the Second Amendment and ensure that our right to keep and bear arms is protected for generations to come.