Marylands

Maryland’s Digital Advertising Tax Faces Legal Setback as Court Declares It Unconstitutional

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An appellate court in Maryland recently invalidated a segment of the state’s digital advertising tax, marking a significant shift in the regulation of online advertising revenue. The court’s decision arose from a legal challenge that claimed the tax disproportionately affected companies involved in digital advertising compared to traditional businesses. The law, enacted in 2021, imposed a tax on gross revenues generated by certain advertising services, which critics argued was unfairly burdensome on digital platforms. Plaintiffs, which included national advertisers and technology firms, contended that the tax violated constitutional provisions by imposing an undue economic burden … Read more

Supreme Court Rejects Review of Maryland’s Handgun Licensing Law, Upholding Strict Safety Measures

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge to Maryland’s handgun licensing law, leaving in place the state’s stringent rules that require prospective handgun owners to undergo a comprehensive approval process including fingerprinting and firearms training. This decision marked a significant victory for gun control advocates and upheld a prior ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from August 2024. The petition to the Supreme Court was brought by a coalition of gun owners, the pro-firearms group Maryland Shall Issue, and the Montgomery County-based Atlantic Guns store. They contended … Read more

Supreme Court Upholds Maryland’s Rigorous Handgun Licensing Law Amidst Ongoing Efforts to Curb Gun Violence

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided not to review a stringent Maryland gun licensing statute, effectively upholding a law that requires detailed safety measures for handgun purchasers. The law mandates safety training, fingerprint submission, and a comprehensive background check prior to a handgun purchase, which state officials argue are necessary precautions to reduce gun-related incidents. The legal scrutiny of Maryland’s firearms regulations intensified following the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, prompting the enactment of these tougher measures in an effort to curb gun violence. The statute faced legal challenges, … Read more

Maryland’s Retail Dog Sale Ban Upheld by Fourth Circuit Court, Aims to Curb Puppy Mills

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RICHMOND, Va. — A recent ruling from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that Maryland’s law banning the sale of dogs in retail pet stores does not infringe on interstate commerce nor is it overridden by the federal Animal Welfare Act. The decision reinforces Maryland’s ongoing legislative efforts to address and mitigate the inhumane conditions often found in large-scale breeding facilities, commonly referred to as “puppy mills.” The law under scrutiny was enacted in 2021 and is a continuation of Maryland’s broader strategy over the past decade to enhance the welfare of animals. Such … Read more