Federal judge issues partial injunction ahead of Maryland's new carry restrictions taking effect
Maryland’s “can’t carry anywhere” legislation will take effect on Sunday, but a federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction barring enforcement in at least some of the state’s new “gun-free zones.” U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III, appointed to the bench by Barack Obama in 2012, split the baby in his decision; allowing Maryland’s prohibitions on lawful carrying to remain in effect as they apply to museums, health care facilities, state parks and state forests, mass transit facilities, school grounds, government buildings, stadiums, racetracks, amusement parks, and casinos while granting an injunction against enforcement of the new law when it comes to establishments in which alcohol is served, public demonstrations, and (perhaps most importantly) all private property that is not specifically posted to allow concealed carry.
Even in granting the partial injunction, Russell couldn’t help but gripe about the Bruen decision, noting that under a means-end test he would have likely upheld the prohibition against carrying at or near public demonstrations.