Synagogue and Trump’s DOJ Challenge Maryland's Gun Restrictions

WHO:

Fox News - The Silver Spring Jewish Center and Rabbi J. Menashe Shapiro are involved in the lawsuit against Montgomery County.

IJR - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is involved in the lawsuit against Montgomery County, Maryland.

Fox News - Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon expressed support for the lawsuit.

WHAT:

Fox News - A Maryland synagogue filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County over a law restricting permit holders from carrying firearms within 100 yards of houses of worship.

Fox News - Montgomery County enacted a law on July 27 that restricts the possession or transport of firearms within 100 yards of "a place of public assembly."

IJR - The DOJ filed suit against Montgomery County over the law prohibiting carrying firearms within 100 yards of multiple locations, including churches.

Fox News - The lawsuit demands that a court rule the law violates the First, Second, and Fourteenth Amendments and seeks to permanently enjoin the county from enforcing the law.

WHERE:

Fox News - The events are taking place in Montgomery County, Maryland.

IJR - The law applies to multiple locations, including churches in Montgomery County.

WHEN:

Fox News - The law was enacted on July 27.

Fox News - The lawsuit was filed shortly after the law was enacted.

WHY:

Fox News - The lawsuit claims the law violates Jewish people's constitutional right to bear arms and endangers them by depriving them of ways to defend themselves amid rising antisemitic attacks.

Fox News - Rabbi Shapiro stated that the law comes at a time when there have been recent violent incidents against the Jewish community, including a firebombing and a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum.

HOW:

Fox News - The lawsuit was filed by the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) on behalf of the Silver Spring Jewish Center.

Fox News - The law provides exceptions for police officers and licensed security guards and does not apply to firearms in private homes or at a place of business by the owner or authorized employee.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 15:33 UTC)

A Maryland synagogue, represented by the New Civil Liberties Alliance, has filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County over a recently enacted law that restricts the carrying of firearms within 100 yards of places of worship, including churches. The Department of Justice is also involved, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon expressing support for the lawsuit, which argues that the law violates the First, Second, and Fourteenth Amendments and endangers the Jewish community amid rising antisemitic attacks. The law, which was enacted on July 27, includes exceptions for police officers and licensed security guards but does not apply to firearms in private homes or businesses.