4 Anne Arundel Gun Dealers Sue County Over New Ordinance

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Four gun dealers have filed a federal lawsuit against Anne Arundel County challenging an ordinance they say infringes on their First Amendment rights.

According to Maryland Shall Issue, a gun rights organization representing the gun dealers, Bill 108-21 mandates that sellers of firearms or ammunition within the county distribute county-prepared or sponsored literature with each sale and display the materials in their establishments.

The ordinance went into effect on April 10, 2022.

"The Anne Arundel County Health Department shall prepare literature relating to gun safety, gun training, suicide prevention, mental health and conflict resolution and distribute the literature to all establishments that sell guns or ammunition," a portion the ordinance reads.

Gun dealers who fail to comply with the new ordinance will face a $500 fine for the first violation and $1,000 for the second or any subsequent violation.

The gun dealers fighting the ordinance are:

• Field Traders LLC, a firearms dealer and manufacturer located in Pasadena, Maryland.
• Cindy's Hot Shots,Inc., a shooting range and firearms dealer located in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
• Pasadena Arms Inc., a firearms dealer located in Pasadena, Maryland.
• Worth-A-Shot Inc., a firearms dealer located in Millersville, Maryland

This is actually the second federal lawsuit that these four gun dealers have filed against the county.

In February, Maryland Shall Issue filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the gun dealers in response to Bill 109-21. The gun-rights organization argues that the ordinance targets firearms dealers by imposing onerous and vague security requirements as a condition of doing business within the county.

According to WMAR-TV, the county isn't commenting on the latest lawsuit but they did say protecting residents is its priority.

Meanwhile, Maryland Shall Issue maintains that the county shouldn't force gun dealers to submit to compelled speech.