No. 25-1206October Term 2025Petition Pending
Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland, et al., Petitioners v. Susannah Warner Kipke, et al.
Maryland officials ask the Supreme Court to review a Fourth Circuit ruling that struck down the State’s private-building consent rule.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
Maryland officials ask the Supreme Court to review a Fourth Circuit ruling that struck down the State’s private-building consent rule. The rule generally bars people from carrying firearms into privately owned buildings unless the owner or the owner’s agent has given permission; the case is still pending.
Question presented
Did the court of appeals err in concluding that Maryland’s private building consent rule, which prohibits individuals from carrying firearms into buildings on private property without first obtaining permission from the owner (or the owner’s agent), is unconstitutional?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Gun Rights
Briefing
What it's about
Maryland officials ask the Supreme Court to review a Fourth Circuit decision striking down a state rule on carrying firearms into private buildings. The rule generally requires a person to get the owner’s or an agent’s permission before carrying a firearm inside.
Argument
The case is pending, and oral argument has not yet been scheduled. Maryland officials argue that the Fourth Circuit erred in finding the private-building consent rule unconstitutional.
Impact
The case could affect whether private-building owners must give permission before people carry firearms into places such as stores or offices. It also affects gun owners who want to carry in those buildings.
What is at stake in Moore v. Kipke?
The case concerns whether Maryland may generally require permission before a person carries a firearm into a privately owned building.
Who could be affected by Maryland’s private-building consent rule?
Private-building owners, their agents, and people seeking to carry firearms into places such as stores or offices could be affected.
What happens next in Moore v. Kipke?
The Court may decide whether to hear the case. Oral argument has not yet been scheduled.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology