SAF Backs Maryland Lawsuit Over Out-of-State Carry Permits
The Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of Maryland on July 23, 2026, supporting a petition for certiorari in Darius Duvall v. State of Maryland. The case directly challenges Maryland's blanket refusal to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states, a practice that leaves Maryland residents and travelers from other states unable to legally carry firearms across state lines.
Key Details
SAF's brief targets Maryland's non-recognition policy. The foundation argues that Maryland's refusal to honor valid out-of-state permits contradicts the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court's reasoning in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022). Maryland currently does not issue permits for constitutional carry and rejects all out-of-state credentials, creating a complete barrier to interstate gun rights. The petition seeks full court review—a significant step in Maryland's appellate process.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
This case directly affects anyone holding a valid concealed carry permit from another state who enters Maryland. Currently, even permit holders from constitutional carry states face criminal liability. The case also matters to Maryland residents who cannot obtain permits under the state's restrictive licensing scheme. If the court grants review and rules against Maryland's policy, it could establish precedent requiring states to recognize permits from other jurisdictions—a domino effect that could reshape interstate carry across the country. Gun owners traveling through or relocating to Maryland need clarity on whether reciprocity rights exist at all.
DownRange Analysis
Bruen fundamentally changed how courts evaluate gun regulations by requiring historical grounding in American tradition. Maryland's blanket non-recognition of out-of-state permits has no historical parallel—19th-century America had no licensing systems to refuse. SAF's argument is structurally sound. The real question: will Maryland's court acknowledge this weakness, or will it invent post-hoc justifications? A grant of certiorari signals the court is taking the petition seriously. Gun owners should monitor this case closely—favorable rulings in Maryland could accelerate similar challenges in New York, California, and New Jersey.
