Strict Scrutiny Decision on Maryland Semi-Autos Still Leaves Dangerous Threat Looming

By Justin Stakes

By David Codrea

United States -(AmmoLand.com)- “The United States Court of Appeals for 4th Circuit [applied] strict scrutiny to Maryland’s ‘Firearms Safety Act,’ in a two-to-one decision that could change the face of gun laws for Maryland (arguably one of the most anti-gun states in the nation), and perhaps portend similar relief for the beleaguered residents of New York, New Jersey, California, and the few other remaining anti-gun states,” Andrew Branca of Legal Insurrection reported Thursday. “Virtually all gun control laws will be found unconstitutional if subject to strict scrutiny.”

Maryland’s Orwellian-named edict banned many semi-automatic rifles and standard capacity magazines, naturally with a law enforcement exemption. If “intermediate scrutiny” were applied, the state claiming “public safety” would be enough to have its ban upheld. Under the higher “strict scrutiny” standard, “the law must advance not merely any governmental interest, but in particular a compelling governmental interest [and] must also be narrowly tailored to actually achieve that interest.” That’s been the assumed standard for rights EXCEPT those specified in …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand