Summary: Federal lawsuit challenging public carry bans in Maryland as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

Plaintiffs: Katherine Novotny, Susan Burke, Esther Rossberg, Maryland Shall Issue, Inc., Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition.

Defendants: Maryland Governor Wesley Moore, Harford County State's Attorney Alison Healey, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates, Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland Butler, Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedfeld, and Secretary of Natural Resources Joshua Kurtz.

Litigation Counsel: Mark Pennak, David Thompson, and Peter Patterson.

Docket: D. MD case no. 1:23-cv-01295, Fourth Circuit case nos. 24-1827 and 24-1836 | CourtListener Docket

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Key Events & Filings:

Court of Appeals

• 2025-5-7: Oral Arguments
• 2025-2-26: Reply Brief of Appellees/Cross-Appellants
• 2025-1-22: Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Response and Reply Brief
• 2024-12-23: Brief of Appellees/Cross-Appellants
• 2024-11-4: Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Principal Brief
• 2024-9-4: Order

District Court

• 2024-8-29: Notice of Appeal
• 2024-8-27: Notice of Appeal
• 2024-8-2: Opinion
• 2023-10-13: Joint Status Report
• 2023-10-12: Answer to Novotny Complaint
• 2023-10-02: Order
• 2023-10-02: Motion for Relief from Order
• 2023-9-29: Order
• 2023-9-29: Memorandum Opinion
• 2023-8-11: Reply in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment and Response in Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-8-3: Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment and Opposition to the Novotny Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment
• 2023-8-2: Defendants’ Reply Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss the Novotny Complaint
• 2023-7-13: Order
• 2023-7-12: Plaintiffs’ Consolidated Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction and in Opposition to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss
• 2023-6-28: Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss and Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction
• 2023-6-9: Reply Memorandum in Support of Defendants’ Motion to Consolidate
• 2023-6-1: Opposition of Plaintiffs Katherine Novotny, et al., to Defendants’ Motion to Consolidate
• 2023-5-31: Defendants’ Motion to Consolidate
• 2023-5-24: Motion for Preliminary Injunction
• 2023-5-16: Complaint

News Releases:

• 2024-11-5: FPC Files Opening Brief in Maryland Carry Ban Appeal
• 2024-8-2: FPC WIN: Federal Judge Declares Multiple Maryland Public Carry Bans Unconstitutional
• 2023-9-29: FPC WIN: Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Maryland Public Carry Bans
• 2023-5-25: FPC Files Motion for Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Onerous Maryland Carry Restrictions
• 2023-5-16: FPC Challenges Onerous Maryland Gun Control Legislation in New Lawsuit