RICHMOND, VA – The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has filed our opening brief with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Novotny v. Moore, an FPC lawsuit challenging provisions of Maryland’s Gun Safety Act of 2023 (Senate Bill 1, 2023 Reg. Sess.), which imposed new bans on the constitutionally protected right to carry firearms in public. The brief, filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/novotny.

The district court previously ruled that parts of the challenged laws were unconstitutional, but wrongly upheld others, leading to the cross-appeal with the State of Maryland, which is seeking review of the same lower court decision.

“As our brief makes clear, the Fourth Circuit must apply binding Supreme Court precedent and reverse the district court’s misguided decision upholding these bans. We will continue to eliminate these immoral and unconstitutional laws in Maryland and throughout the United States,” said FPC President Brandon Combs.

The Novotny case is part of FPC’s high-impact strategic litigation program, FPC Law, aimed at eliminating immoral laws and creating a world of maximal liberty. FPC is joined in the litigation by three FPC members as well as Maryland Shall Issue and the Second Amendment Foundation. FPC thanks FPC Action Foundation for its strategic support of this FPC Law case.

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. We work to achieve our strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs. Our FPC Law program (FPCLaw.org) is the nation’s preeminent legal action initiative focused on restoring the right to keep and bear arms throughout the United States. Individuals who want to support FPC’s work to eliminate unconstitutional laws can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org or make a donation at firearmspolicy.org/donate. For more on FPC’s lawsuits and other pro-Second Amendment initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.