The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is considering two consolidated cases challenging Maryland's firearms regulations, marking a significant Second Amendment battle that could affect gun laws across the mid-Atlantic region.
The appeals, filed as cases 24-1799 and 24-1827, feature multiple gun rights organizations and individual plaintiffs seeking to overturn various Maryland gun control measures. The cases were filed Jan. 20, 2026, according to court documents.
In case 24-1799, the plaintiffs include Susannah Warner Kipke and the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc. The defendants are Governor Wes Moore in his official capacity, Roland L. Butler Jr. as Maryland State Police Superintendent and Secretary, and Joshua Kurtz as Secretary of Natural Resources.
The second case, 24-1827, involves a broader coalition of plaintiffs including Katherine Novotny, Sue Burke, Esther Rossberg, Maryland Shall Issue Inc., the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Firearms Policy Coalition. These plaintiffs face defendants including Governor Wesley Moore, multiple state attorneys from Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City, along with the same state police and natural resources officials named in the first case.
The consolidation of these cases suggests the challenges involve overlapping legal issues related to Maryland's gun control framework. The involvement of multiple state attorneys indicates the laws being challenged may include local enforcement components or county-level regulations.
The appeals have drawn significant attention from both sides of the gun control debate. Supporting Maryland's position are major gun violence prevention organizations including Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
The amicus brief coalition supporting the state defendants represents one of the most comprehensive lineups seen in recent Second Amendment litigation. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have filed briefs backing Maryland's laws: Illinois, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
This multi-state support reflects the broader national debate over gun control measures and suggests that other states view the outcome of these cases as potentially affecting their own firearms regulations. The participation of states with varying political compositions indicates the legal questions involved may transcend typical partisan divisions on gun policy.
The Fourth Circuit's jurisdiction covers Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, meaning any ruling could establish precedent affecting gun laws throughout the region. The court has previously handled several notable Second Amendment cases, though the specific nature of Maryland's laws being challenged in these appeals remains unclear from the available court documents.
Maryland has implemented various gun control measures over the years, including assault weapon restrictions, high-capacity magazine bans, and enhanced background check requirements. The state also requires licenses for handgun purchases and has implemented red flag laws allowing temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
The timing of these appeals comes amid ongoing national debates over gun control measures following various mass shooting incidents. Courts nationwide have been grappling with how to apply the Supreme Court's decision in *New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen* (2022), which established a new framework for evaluating Second Amendment challenges based on historical traditions of firearm regulation.
The *Bruen* decision has led to renewed challenges to various state and local gun laws, with mixed results in federal courts. Some restrictions have been struck down while others have been upheld, creating a complex patchwork of rulings as courts work to apply the Supreme Court's guidance.
The involvement of both the Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition as plaintiffs in case 24-1827 signals that these challenges are being backed by well-funded national gun rights organizations with experience litigating constitutional challenges to firearms regulations.
Governor Moore, who took office in 2023, has generally supported gun control measures during his tenure. His administration's defense of these laws through the state attorney general's office will likely focus on arguments about public safety and the historical tradition of regulating dangerous weapons.
The cases appear to be in their appellate phase, suggesting lower courts have already ruled on the challenges. The specific rulings being appealed and the particular Maryland laws at issue will become clearer as the litigation progresses.
Legal observers will be watching these cases closely, as Fourth Circuit decisions often influence other circuits and can serve as stepping stones to potential Supreme Court review. The consolidation of multiple challenges suggests the court recognizes the interconnected nature of the legal issues involved.
The outcome of these appeals could significantly impact gun rights and regulations not only in Maryland but potentially across the Fourth Circuit's jurisdiction, affecting millions of residents in the mid-Atlantic region.