NRA Prepares Lawsuit Over Maryland Glock Firearm Sales Ban

The National Rifle Association on Tuesday said it would file a lawsuit against a Maryland law signed earlier that day by Gov. Wes Moore. The statute bans the sale of pistols that can be converted to fully automatic fire using aftermarket devices. The law targets firearms with a cruciform trigger bar design, a feature found on most Glock models.

Although the statute does not name Glock by brand, the design element means the restriction applies to the majority of its handguns. Gun rights advocates said the measure violates the Second Amendment. John Commerford, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, stated that the governor had banned one of the most popular handguns in America and that the NRA would pursue every legal option to overturn the statute.

The statute prohibits sales of machine gun convertible pistols but leaves existing ownership unaffected. It takes effect in January and contains exemptions that permit continued possession and transfer by or to law enforcement personnel. Maryland becomes the second state after California to enact this type of restriction.

Two additional states have introduced similar measures. The Washington Times reported that the law does not require current owners to surrender firearms and applies only to new sales.