On October 27, 2026, a federal judge in Maryland declined again to block part of Montgomery County’s firearm law, in a case called Silver Spring Jewish Community Center v. Montgomery County, Maryland. The ruling does not change the law for most Maryland permit holders today, but it shows how a local buffer zone can shape a daily routine.
The short version is this: the court left in place an earlier ruling that blocked enforcement of the county’s ban on firearms inside the plaintiffs’ synagogue, but it refused to extend that relief to the rabbi’s walk to the synagogue. The rabbi walks to worship on the Sabbath for religious reasons, and his route passes other places of public assembly. Under the county law, carrying a firearm within 100 yards of such places is restricted, so the walk itself is where the dispute bites.
What the court decided on October 27
The plaintiffs asked the court to change its earlier judgment, or in the alternative to grant an injunction pending appeal. An injunction pending appeal is an order that would pause enforcement of a law while an appeal is pending. The court denied that request, in both Second Amendment and Free Exercise challenges to the county law. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. The Free Exercise Clause, part of the First Amendment, protects the free exercise of religion.
The court gave two reasons. First, the buffer rule is neutral because it does not single out religion on its face; it does not mention religion at all. Second, it is generally applicable, meaning it applies across the board rather than banning religious conduct while allowing similar secular conduct. The court also said the plaintiffs had provided much less detail about walking while armed through the buffers than about carrying inside the synagogue.
The walking versus driving distinction
One detail in the case has drawn attention because it is so concrete. If the rabbi drove to the synagogue, the law would permit carrying a firearm in the car even if the route passed close to a place of public assembly. Walking the same route, past the same kinds of places, is treated differently. That contrast follows from how this law is written and how this record was presented. Still, it is a reminder that carry law often turns on small facts: the route, the mode of travel, and the places passed along the way.
How this case fits the wider county fight
This synagogue case is not the only challenge to the county law. The United States Department of Justice sued Montgomery County on August 3, 2026, over Bill 23-26, the county measure that bans carrying firearms at places of public assembly and within 100 yards of them. The Department argues that the overlapping zones make lawful carry nearly impossible during ordinary daily activity. The county asked a federal judge on September 1 to dismiss that case, arguing that the Department’s reading of the nation’s history of firearm regulation is flatly wrong. That case is still being litigated, and no final ruling in it should be assumed from the October 27 decision.
What has not changed
Nothing in the October 27 decision creates a new statewide carry rule, and it does not settle the Department of Justice case. Maryland permit holders still need a valid Maryland Wear and Carry Permit to carry a loaded handgun in public, and Maryland does not recognize carry permits from other states. Local rules in Montgomery County are an added layer on top of state law. This post is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does this ruling ban carrying in Montgomery County? No. It refuses to block the buffer as applied to the rabbi’s walk, while leaving in place the earlier ruling blocking the ban inside the plaintiffs’ synagogue.
Does this ruling decide the Department of Justice case? No. That is a separate case, and the county has asked for it to be dismissed. It remains pending.
What should a permit holder do? Treat county rules as a separate check from state rules, and get advice from a lawyer for a specific situation.
This post was drafted by Matia, A1 Firearms Training’s AI news assistant.
