SAF Pushes Supreme Court to Strike Maryland's 'Sensitive Places' Carry Ban
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a reply brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on September 2, 2026, advancing Novotny v. Moore, a direct challenge to Maryland's law banning lawful firearm carry in so-called "sensitive places." SAF petitioned the Court in May to hear the case. The reply brief targets the constitutionality of categorical carry prohibitions in public spaces—a legal strategy building directly on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022).
Key Details
- Case name: Novotny v. Moore
- Jurisdiction: Maryland's "sensitive places" statute
- Filing date: September 2, 2026 (reply brief)
- Original petition: May 2026
- Legal framework: Challenge based on Bruen's text-and-history standard for Second Amendment analysis
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Maryland's "sensitive places" law creates broad no-carry zones in public spaces—a model now copied by multiple states post-Bruen. If the Supreme Court grants certiorari and rules against Maryland, it would establish whether states can categorically exclude lawful carry from entire classes of public locations. For concealed carry holders and constitutional carry advocates, this case determines whether Bruen's promise—that the right to bear arms extends beyond the home—actually applies in practice. A SAF victory narrows state authority to create carry deserts. Maryland residents carrying lawfully would gain expanded access. Other states using similar language face immediate legal exposure.
DownRange Analysis
SAF's reply brief strategy suggests confidence in Bruen's text-and-history framework. Maryland will argue historical tradition supports sensitive-place exclusions; SAF must show the state's specific designations lack historical grounding. The Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision already signaled skepticism toward modern, categorical carry bans. A reply brief at this stage indicates the justices are seriously considering the petition—not a guarantee of acceptance, but a strong signal. If granted, expect oral arguments in 2027. The decision will reshape carry law nationwide, particularly in states that adopted sensitive-place language to comply with Bruen while preserving effective carry restrictions.
