ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gun-rights activists are challenging a handgun licensing law in Maryland in federal court.
Maryland Shall Issue, a gun store and four residents filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Wednesday.
They contend the law reduces Maryland residents' constitutional rights "to mere privileges." They also argue that the state's handgun licensing process is lengthy, expensive and invasive because it requires people to submit fingerprints to get a handgun license.
Vincent DeMarco, chairman of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, says the law is "a lifesaving measure, which is clearly constitutional."
The law is part of a sweeping gun-control measure approved in 2013. Gun-rights advocates also are challenging other parts of the law in another lawsuit against a ban on 45 assault weapons and a 10-round limit on gun magazines.
