ANNAPOLIS, MD and SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF), and Maryland resident Jeffrey Hulbert have filed a new federal Second Amendment lawsuit that seeks to strike down the City of Annapolis, Maryland’s total ban on electronic self-defense weapons, like Tasers and “stun guns.”
Individual plaintiff Jeffrey Hulbert is a resident of Annapolis and would like to buy and keep a Taser for self-defense. But Annapolis Ordinance 11.44.070 states that “No person shall possess, deliver, receive or discharge any electronic weapon.”
The complaint states that “Defendants’ laws, customs, practices and policies generally banning the acquisition, passion, carry and use of Tasers and other electric arms violates the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, facially and as applied against the Plaintiffs…”
In March, the Supreme Court dealt a blow to a State of Massachusetts law banning the possession of electronic weapons in its Caetano v. Massachusetts decision, but that case was dismissed by the State before a final decision was reached.
Said lead counsel Stephen Stamboulieh about the case, “We are looking forward to striking down this unconstitutional ordinance and restoring Mr. Hulbert’s Second Amendment right to acquire and possess electronic weapons for self-defense.”
“The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding people to keep and bear stun guns and Tasers, period,” said Brandon Combs, president of the Coalition and chairman of the Foundation.
“Striking down the City’s total ban on electronic self-defense weapons is especially important in a state like Maryland, where acquiring a license to carry a handgun is extremely difficult.”
The City of Annapolis, Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides, and Police Chief Michael Pristoop are named as defendants in the case.
Stamboulieh is joined on the case by attorneys Alan Beck of San Diego, California and Leslie Gawlik of Baltimore, Maryland.
Earlier this month, Firearms Policy Coalition and Firearms Policy Foundation filed a similar challenge to the State of New York’s ban on electronic self-defense weapons.
Firearms Policy Coalition (www.firearmspolicy.org) is a 501(c)4 grassroots nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Firearms Policy Foundation (www.firearmsfoundation.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. FPF’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the People’s rights, privileges and immunities deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition, especially the inalienable, fundamental, and individual right to keep and bear arms.
