The Supreme Court declined to review a case challenging Maryland’s ban on so-called “assault weapons.” (Dave Workman)
By Dave Workman
Senior Editor
The Supreme Court of the United States has denied a petition for certiorari in the case of a Maryland man who has challenged the law regarding so-called “assault weapons” in that state.
The case is known as Kolbe v. Hogan.
Social media has already begun to heat up as gun owners and gun rights activists are expressing fury over the high court’s reluctance to take the case, and over the Maryland law.
Maryland law banned “assault weapons” and original capacity magazines in 2013. The Supreme Court had already declined to hear a challenge to Maryland’s restrictive discretionary concealed carry permitting law.
Gun rights organizations have been quick to react. The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action issued a statement: “Maryland’s ban on commonly owned firearms and magazines violates our fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. The court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller clearly stated that arms in common use for lawful purposes are protected by the Second Amendment and thus cannot be subject to an outright ban. We will continue fighting to ensure that the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding Americans are respected in the courts.”
The Second Amendment Foundation also commented, “While we are disappointed that the Supreme Court did not take these cases, which were not ours, we are not surprised. There are other similar great cases working there way through the courts that we expect the Supreme Court to eventually hear.
“In addition,” SAF observed, “the more Judges that President Trump gets to nominate to the high court the better Second Amendment rulings we will get.”
That wasn’t the only piece of bad news for gun owners challenging gun control laws. The court also denied a petition in the case of Norman v. State, which challenged the Florida open carry law.
Sunshine State gun rights activists are expressing disappointment and anger at the court’s decision.
“Only a very select few cases are heard by the Court,” said Richard Nascak, Florida Carry executive director. “Unfortunately, both Norman and Kolbe failed to make the cut. Be that as it may, Florida Carry is extremely disheartened that the Court has once again kicked the can down the block, leaving fundamental questions regarding the right to keep and bear arms in circuit split limbo.”
By turning down both cases for review, the court is reinforcing the impression among Second Amendment advocates that it is simply unwilling to take another gun rights case. Twice in the past ten years, the Supreme Court has ruled on Second Amendment cases, first in District of Columbia v. Heller and two years later in McDonald v. City of Chicago. In both cases the high court ruled that the Second Amendment affirms and protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, while noting that the right is not absolute and is subject to some regulation.
