The Supreme Court of the United States has scheduled Snope v. Brown—a pivotal case challenging Maryland’s unconstitutional ban on so-called “assault weapons”—for a conference on Friday, January 24th. This case represents a critical battle in the ongoing defense of Second Amendment rights, and is a leading candidate for the next 2A case at the Court.
“Sooner rather than later, the Supreme Court will take another Second Amendment case,” predicts 2ALC President Chuck Michel. “When they do, lawful gun owners can hope that the Court provides clarity on how Bruen should be applied, which will affect not only the case in question, but hundreds of other cases across the country. It is high time for the Supreme Court to put an end to the games being played by biased lower courts as they twist or ignore Supreme Court precedent.”
The Supreme Court initially granted certiorari in June 2022, vacating an earlier appeals court decision and remanding the case to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court with instructions to apply the clear framework established in the landmark New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision. Despite the Supreme Court’s guidance in Bruen, the Fourth Circuit has continued to uphold Maryland’s flawed ban, refusing to align its decision with the constitutional protections mandated by the High Court.
At stake in Snope v. Brown is not only Maryland’s misguided policy but also the broader question of whether state governments can undermine fundamental constitutional rights under the guise of public safety. The Second Amendment Law Center stands firmly in support of CCRKBA and its allies as they seek to restore and protect the rights guaranteed to all Americans under the Constitution.