Gun rights advocates have filed a federal lawsuit to block Maryland’s new gun control laws from going into effect next week, arguing that restrictions on assault weapons and large magazines infringe on their constitutional rights, reports the Baltimore Sun. The advocates, including individual citizens, organizations and gun shops, say the Second Amendment and case law allow them to own military-style assault rifles and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
In their lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Maryland, they say the state’s new gun laws would not reduce crime but would make innocent people less able to defend themselves. Lawyers for the plaintiffs asked a judge Friday for an injunction to stop the law from taking effect on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for O’Malley said she expects the law to withstand the challenge.