By DAVID DISHNEAU Associated Press HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The state of Maryland faces a second challenge to a gun control law set to take effect Tuesday.
On Friday, a collection of gun shops, firearm associations and people with pending handgun permit applications filed the complaint in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. They’re challenging a provision requiring prospective buyers to submit their fingerprints to obtain a handgun qualification license.
The plaintiffs say that because Maryland State Police are already overwhelmed with permit applications, the additional procedures would create an unconstitutional, de facto ban on handgun sales.
Many of the same plaintiffs filed a separate lawsuit Thursday challenging other provisions of the law. They’re asking the court to consider both complaints at a hearing Tuesday. The plaintiffs are asking for an order that would temporarily block enforcement.