Maryland Synagogue Sues County Over Firearm Ban Near Worship Places
A Maryland synagogue sued Montgomery County challenging firearms prohibition near worship sites.
Why it matters: This lawsuit highlights ongoing conflicts between gun control measures and constitutional rights, especially involving places of worship. Legal advisors and local governments must watch evolving Second Amendment interpretations that impact public safety and civil liberties.
- The synagogue filed suit on July 31, 2026, against Montgomery County's firearms ban within 100 yards of places of worship.
- The suit alleges violations of the First, Second, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
- Montgomery County’s Section 57-11 prohibits firearms near places of public assembly, including houses of worship.
- The county recently updated its firearms law on July 27, 2026, after a Maryland Supreme Court ruling upheld some restrictions but required revisions.
- Court rulings like the April 2026 Maryland Supreme Court decision and the Fourth Circuit’s January 2026 ruling shape local gun regulations.
On July 31, 2026, a synagogue in Montgomery County, Maryland, initiated a lawsuit challenging the county's restrictions on firearms possession within 100 yards of places of worship. This local regulation is codified under Chapter 57, Section 57-11, which bans firearms, including ghost guns, near places of public assembly such as houses of worship.
The lawsuit contends these restrictions infringe on constitutional protections guaranteed by the First, Second, and Fourteenth Amendments. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich recently signed Bill 23-26E on July 27, 2026, updating local firearms laws following the Maryland Supreme Court's April ruling in Engage Armament v. Montgomery County. That decision affirmed some firearm regulations near certain public places but required changes in others.
Earlier, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Kipke v. Moore upheld state restrictions on firearms in numerous sensitive locations such as government buildings, schools, and places within 1,000 feet of public demonstrations, influencing local and state firearm policies.
The case reflects the complex balance local governments must maintain between limiting gun access in sensitive areas and respecting constitutional rights. It may set precedents affecting similar regulations nationwide.
By the numbers:
- 100 yards — firearms prohibited near places of worship under Montgomery County law
- July 31, 2026 — synagogue filed the lawsuit
- July 27, 2026 — county updated firearms regulations with Bill 23-26E
- April 28, 2026 — Maryland Supreme Court ruling on firearm regulations