A Fed. judge upheld Maryland's new ban on assault rifles & magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds today.

Glad I don't live their!


A federal judge on Tuesday upheld Maryland's new ban on assault rifles and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, handing at least a temporary victory to state officials who say the measures could ward off mass shootings.

A collection of gun owners, stores and industry groups had sued the state, saying the bans violated their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Judge Catherine C. Blake disagreed, writing flatly: "I find the law constitutional."

Blake's decision adds to a growing list of legal victories for states that have tightened their gun laws in recent years, even after the Supreme Court decided in 2008 that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms.

Gun rights advocates say they are not disheartened, however, and plan to keep fighting.

The Maryland law has strong backing from top state officials, and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, whose office handled the case, praised the judge's ruling.

"The banning of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines is a vital tool in the effort to help protect Marylanders from the most destructive weapons available for use by criminals," he said in a statement.


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[link to www.baltimoresun.com]