Synagogue Wins Partial Victory Over Montgomery County Gun-Free Zone Law

In July, Montgomery County passed a statute creating a 100-yard buffer zone that prohibits firearms and other weapons near public gatherings, aiming to address a declining homicide rate. The Silver Spring Jewish Center sued, claiming the measure violates its constitutional rights to worship and bear arms, and a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction allowing members to carry guns inside the synagogue. The congregation has filed an additional request for a similar right while traveling between the synagogue and their homes, fearing vulnerability during the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah.

The Justice Department’s earlier lawsuit to overturn the ordinance was dismissed without prejudice on September 3. County officials have highlighted a modest drop in homicides from 23 in 2022 to 20 in 2024, though religious sites continue to face rising antisemitic threats, prompting broader security concerns across the region.