One of the nation's strictest gun control laws will be challenged in court by a pro-gun group in Maryland, NECN reported.
Gun advocates filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Maryland on Thursday to halt the gun control law, signed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley in May, from being enacted on Oct. 1.
The new law will require people to submit fingerprints to the state police before purchasing a handgun. It also adds 45 guns to the list of banned assault weapons in the state and limits handgun magazines to ten rounds.
Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last December, O'Malley proposed tighter gun legislation.
A spokesman for the governor said she doesn't think the lawsuit will be successful.
"The vast majority of Marylanders support these common-sense efforts to reduce gun violence," spokeswoman Samantha Kappalman said. "The new law will take effect on Tuesday, and it will make families safer."
However, individual residents, gun shops, and organizations gathered to fight the law they see as a violation of their Second Amendment right.
The Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore Inc. is one of the groups involved in the lawsuit and claims the law would prevent responsible citizens from being able to "choose effective firearms for defense in the home."
"Together we are drawing a line in the sand where Maryland's gun control agenda tramples the fundamental individual right to defend oneself and family in the home," said group spokesman John H. Josselyn.
Other plaintiffs include Shawn Tardy, Andrew Turner, Matthew Godwin, Wink's Sporting Goods Inc., the Maryland Licensed Firearms Dealers Association, Maryland Shall Issue Inc., the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Although the National Rife Association (NRA) is not involved in the case, a spokesperson expressed their solidarity with Maryland's gun advocates.
"We are supporting it in every way we can." spokeswoman Sharon Alford said.
