ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.

HomeBlog

After Bruen: How a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit Works and What It Actually Lets You Do

The Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen forced Maryland to abandon its old "good and substantial reason" requirement for carry permits. Maryland is now a shall issue state, but the General Assembly's 2023 Gun Safety Act defined an extensive list of sensitive places where carry remains prohibited even by permit holders. This guide walks through the application process, what the permit authorizes, the sensitive places framework, reciprocity issues, and the cases where the permit is not a defense.

When the State Case Becomes a Federal Case: RICO, VICAR, and Gang-Related Assault Prosecutions in Prince George’s County

When the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland adopts a Prince George's County gang-related assault case, the procedural rules change and the exposure typically multiplies. Federal RICO under 18 U.S.C. § 1961 charges participation in a racketeering enterprise. Federal VICAR under 18 U.S.C. § 1959 reaches violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering. This guide walks through the enterprise and pattern elements, the VICAR purpose requirement, the cooperator dynamic that drives federal cases, the differences between the federal and state forums, and the defense strategies for clients facing both.

Last Call on Route 1: Late-Night Street Fight Defense in Hyattsville and College Park

The Route 1 corridor through Hyattsville, College Park, Riverdale Park, and Beltsville produces one of the highest volumes of late-night assault cases in Prince George's County. The cases share recurring features: alcohol, multiple participants, conflicting witness accounts, and body camera footage that often shows something different from the police report. This guide walks through the typical scene, the mutual combat and self defense doctrines, the witness reliability concerns, the University of Maryland student conduct overlay for College Park cases, and the defense strategies for the Route 1 prosecutions.