Court Orders Reconsideration Of Maryland Gun Law Ruling

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Gun-rights supporters who challenged Maryland's assault weapon's ban will get another chance to argue that it should be overturned.

A divided three-judge panel 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday sent the case back to a lower court for further review. The appeals raised concerns about the constitutionality of the law and said it needs to be evaluated by a more rigorous standard.

State lawmakers passed the sweeping Firearms Safety Act after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

The law remains in place, but the ruling was a setback for the state.

Attorney General Brian E. Frosh defended the ban and said he will appeal the ruling either to the full federal appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court.

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