Gov. Larry Hogan directed Maryland State Police Tuesday to suspend the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard used to review applications for Wear and Carry permits in the state, lowering Maryland’s gun license barriers.
Hogan’s decision was prompted by the Supreme Court’s ruling two weeks ago that struck down a New York gun law that required residents to show “proper cause” to carry a concealed gun in public.
“In light of the ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to immediately suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry Permits,” Hogan said in a statement. “It would be unconstitutional to continue enforcing this provision in state law.”
The state’s “good and substantial reason” standard required that applicants for handgun carry permits must have “good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.”
With Hogan’s decision, this standard will no longer be in place, and the state will have less gun license barriers.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on June 23 that motivated Hogan’s decision ruled that there is a Second Amendment constitutional right to carry handguns in public for self-defense purposes.
“Today’s action is in line with actions taken in other states in response to the recent ruling,” Hogan added.
After the Supreme Court’s decision, the Montgomery County Council expressed deep frustrations about the ruling, saying it struck down a “common-sense gun safety law at a time when gun violence is devastating and traumatizing communities nationwide,” the council said in a statement.
In light of a recent Supreme Court ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry Permits.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/0wi1dzD8Aw
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 5, 2022
