No. 25-1324October Term 2025Before Arguments
Katherine Novotny, et al., Petitioners v. Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland, et al.
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Question presented
Whether Maryland’s numerous prohibitions on carrying firearms in many places frequented by the general public violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Gun Rights
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
A group of individuals and gun-rights organizations is asking the Supreme Court to review Maryland laws that prohibit carrying firearms in many places used by the general public. The question is whether those restrictions violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
Argument
The case is pending, and oral argument has not been scheduled. The petition asks whether Maryland's many public-place firearm restrictions are constitutional.
Impact
The case could affect where people may legally carry firearms in Maryland and how broadly the state may restrict guns in public. For example, Maryland residents who want to carry in public places and officials who enforce those limits could both be affected.
What is Novotny v. Moore about?
It asks whether Maryland may bar carrying firearms in many places frequented by the general public. The challengers say those limits violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
Who could be affected by Novotny v. Moore?
Maryland residents who want to carry firearms in public could be directly affected. State and local officials who enforce Maryland's location-based carry restrictions could be affected too.
What happens next in Novotny v. Moore?
There is no argument date yet. Watch for another scheduling move from the Court or, if the case is taken up, an oral argument date.
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
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology