Overview
- The Silver Spring Jewish Center and Rabbi J. Menashe Shapiro filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday, July 30, challenging Expedited Bill 23-26 and naming Montgomery County, County Executive Marc Elrich, Police Chief Marc Yamada and State’s Attorney John McCarthy as defendants.
- County Executive Marc Elrich signed Expedited Bill 23-26 on July 27 and the law took effect immediately, barring licensed people from carrying firearms inside or within 100 yards of designated 'places of public assembly' such as houses of worship, schools, parks and libraries.
- The plaintiffs say the law undercuts the synagogue’s volunteer armed security team made up largely of trained congregants and veterans with Maryland carry permits and that the measure allows only paid security to carry firearms on those sites.
- The complaint argues the ordinance violates the First, Second and Fourteenth Amendments, asserts that religious obligations require congregants to protect worshippers, and cites prior security incidents including an October 2024 assault and a June 9, 2026 attempted entry.
- The suit seeks a declaration the law is unconstitutional and an injunction blocking enforcement, and the Justice Department has sent a letter warning the county it may sue if the ordinance is enforced against houses of worship.