California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the filing of an amicus brief in support of Maryland's firearm restrictions, as part of a multistate coalition. The brief pertains to two consolidated legal challenges, Kipke v. Moore and Novotny v. Moore, regarding Maryland's Gun Safety Act of 2023. It urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the constitutionality of these regulations.
"The fact is, more guns in more places makes us less safe and interferes with the ability of our citizens to live their daily life in peace," said Attorney General Bonta. "In the United States, the heartbreaking tragedy of mass shootings has become all too frequent. As the weight of this trauma grows heavier in our communities, it is imperative that we act, not retreat. We must shield the public from gun violence and honor the rights of states to enact sensible gun regulations that protect their citizens. Together, we can foster safer environments for all."
The brief highlights that previous rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court have supported states' rights to implement measures aimed at reducing gun violence without infringing on Second Amendment rights. Maryland’s law identifies specific areas where firearms are prohibited: locations designated for children and vulnerable populations, government or public infrastructure sites, and special purpose venues like museums and healthcare facilities.
Additional prohibitions include carrying firearms on private property without consent or clear signage indicating permission and within 1,000 feet of public demonstrations. Exemptions exist for certain individuals such as active or retired law enforcement officers and private property owners with authorized security.
Attorney General Bonta's action aligns him with attorneys general from several other states including Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington as well as the District of Columbia.