By 5 Towns Central Staff

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Aug. 3, 2026) — Federal authorities have filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County, Maryland, seeking an immediate injunction to stop the enforcement of a recently updated local ordinance that restricts firearms near religious institutions.

The legal challenge targets Expedited Bill 23-26, a measure signed late last month that bans firearms inside or within 100 yards of designated locations, including houses of worship, educational facilities, public parks, and municipal venues. While the statute provides exemptions for active law enforcement officers and hired security personnel, justice officials contend that the broad restriction creates a significant burden on law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights.

Central to the dispute is the widespread reach of the exclusion zones. Analysis included in court documents demonstrates that the ban encompasses thousands of individual parcels covering thousands of acres across the county. Legal representatives argue that these buffer zones overlap so heavily across the region that residents carrying legal firearms for personal protection cannot reasonably navigate daily life without continually passing through prohibited areas, thereby facing potential criminal liability.

The lawsuit places special emphasis on places of worship, pointing out that prohibiting permitted firearms in houses of worship infringes on individual safety and self-defense rights. According to filings, faith-based facilities present a unique environment where congregants are entitled to maintain safety and security measures tailored to their community needs, particularly given current safety concerns.

The action joins existing litigation brought by local religious leadership advocating for the ability of synagogue members to maintain security. The federal filing asks the court to grant both preliminary and permanent injunctions against county law enforcement agencies to prevent further enforcement of the restriction.