Patrick
MSI Executive Member
Maryland Shall Issue, in association with the Associated Gun Clubs of Maryland, the Maryland Licensed Firearm Dealers Association, and several individual plaintiffs filed a complaint today in Baltimore County Circuit Court against the Maryland State Police (MSP) for the state’s failure to process firearm applications within the seven days mandated by Maryland law.
The MSP’s failure to comply with its statutory duty -- which MSP has admitted is taking closer to 55 than the required seven days -- infringes the fundamental constitutional right of Maryland citizens to purchase and keep firearms for purposes of self-defense in their homes, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and puts them at risk while the bureaucracy takes its time to process citizen applications. The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the MSP to process all firearms applications in seven days as required by law.
Additionally, the MSP’s failure to issue approvals has caused significant economic harm to licensed firearms dealers in Maryland. These business owners also risk civil or criminal sanctions if a firearm has been transferred to a purchaser whose application is later disapproved by the MSP.
We have requested an expedited review of this case given the nature of the harm brought against our members who are attempting to exercise a civil right. Additionally, the plaintiffs are listed as anonymous individuals - publishing their names would provide those persons looking to do harm notice that their potential victim is unarmed. For this reason, we ask that you do not speculate on their identity.
Complaint and filings attached. Understand MSI is limited in the questions we can respond to at the moment.
MSI is working multiple avenues to protect your rights. As disappointing as it is to have to go to court to protect a civil right, we are not shy about doing so.
The MSP’s failure to comply with its statutory duty -- which MSP has admitted is taking closer to 55 than the required seven days -- infringes the fundamental constitutional right of Maryland citizens to purchase and keep firearms for purposes of self-defense in their homes, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and puts them at risk while the bureaucracy takes its time to process citizen applications. The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the MSP to process all firearms applications in seven days as required by law.
Additionally, the MSP’s failure to issue approvals has caused significant economic harm to licensed firearms dealers in Maryland. These business owners also risk civil or criminal sanctions if a firearm has been transferred to a purchaser whose application is later disapproved by the MSP.
We have requested an expedited review of this case given the nature of the harm brought against our members who are attempting to exercise a civil right. Additionally, the plaintiffs are listed as anonymous individuals - publishing their names would provide those persons looking to do harm notice that their potential victim is unarmed. For this reason, we ask that you do not speculate on their identity.
Complaint and filings attached. Understand MSI is limited in the questions we can respond to at the moment.
MSI is working multiple avenues to protect your rights. As disappointing as it is to have to go to court to protect a civil right, we are not shy about doing so.
