AG Brown issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in Wolford v. Lopez, a case addressing whether state laws requiring gun owners to obtain advance permission before carrying firearms onto private property generally open to the public violate the Second Amendment.

“While the Second Amendment affords Marylanders the right to bear arms, that right has never meant guns must be allowed everywhere, regardless of the wishes of business owners or their communities. But today’s ruling allows firearms into the restaurants, stores, and public spaces Marylanders visit every day unless owners take steps to keep the guns out. Marylanders are less safe when commonsense policies like this one are struck down. While we disagree with today’s decision, keeping Marylanders safe remains my Office’s top priority.” -AG Brown