NRA and Gun Rights Groups Sue Maryland Over New “Glock Ban,” Calling It Unconstitutional

NRA Sues Maryland Over Glock-Style Handgun Ban, Calls It Unconstitutional

NRA Sues Maryland Over Glock-Style Handgun Ban, Calls It Unconstitutional - 17GEN4.com

By 17GEN4 News | May 28, 2026

The National Rifle Association, joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Maryland’s newly signed law that effectively bans the sale of most Glock and Glock-style handguns.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, argues that the ban violates the Second Amendment by prohibiting “many of the most popular handguns in America.”

The New Maryland Law (SB 334)

Governor Wes Moore signed Senate Bill 334 into law earlier this week. The legislation targets semiautomatic pistols with a “cruciform trigger bar” design — a feature common in Glock pistols and many clones.Key provisions:

• Bans the manufacture, sale, purchase, offering for sale, receiving, or transfer of these handguns.

• The stated purpose is to curb the use of illegal “Glock switches” (auto-sears) that convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns.

• Grandfather clause: Existing owners may keep their firearms; the restrictions apply to new acquisitions.

• The law takes effect in the coming months (with some reports pointing to January 2027 implementation).

Gun control advocates, including groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, supported the measure as a public safety step to reduce the proliferation of easily convertible firearms.

The Lawsuit

The plaintiffs filed National Rifle Association of America v. Moore on May 26, 2026 — the same day or shortly after the governor signed the bill.

Defendants include:

• Governor Wes Moore

• Attorney General Anthony Brown

• Maryland State Police Acting Superintendent Michael Jackson

Core arguments from the complaint:

• The ban targets some of the most common and popular handguns in the United States, which are in “common use” for self-defense.

• It directly conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, which struck down a handgun ban and affirmed that the Second Amendment protects “the quintessential self-defense weapon.”

• Even if aimed at preventing machine-gun conversions, banning an entire class of widely used handguns is unconstitutional.

• The law effectively functions as a handgun ban for many Marylanders seeking to lawfully acquire popular defensive firearms.

The groups are asking the court to declare the law unconstitutional and issue an injunction blocking its enforcement.

Current Status

The case is in its earliest stages. No hearing dates have been set, and the state has not yet filed a response. Legal observers expect a lengthy battle, potentially reaching higher courts given the constitutional questions involved.Maryland already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, including an assault weapons ban and strict permitting requirements. This new measure adds another layer of restrictions specifically targeting a popular segment of the handgun market.

NRA Sues Maryland Over Glock-Style Handgun Ban, Calls It Unconstitutional

The NRA and gun rights groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging Maryland’s new ban on Glock and Glock-style pistols, arguing it violates the Second Amendment by targeting some of America’s most popular handguns.

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