Gun Permit Condition in MD Upheld by 4th Circuit

(CN) - The 4th Circuit upheld Maryland's handgun permitting law, reversing an order that said the law's "good-and-substantial-reason" requirement was unconstitutional.

In Maryland, those who wish to carry, wear or transport a handgun in public must apply for a permit and show that they have a "good and substantial reason" to do so. Justifications could include specific threats, business activities or work in a high-risk profession.

Raymond Woollard filed suit after the state denied his request in 2009 to renew his permit. The Baltimore County resident had received the permit initially in 2003 after a harrowing Christmas Eve home invasion for which his son-in-law was ultimately arrested and ultimately sentenced to probation.

In rejected Woollard's request for renewal, the state specifically noted he had not submitted "documented threats or incidents that had occurred in the last three years," nor did he provide "documentation to verify threats occurring beyond his residence, where he can already legally carry a handgun," the court record shows.


http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/03/22/55990.htm