More than 600 shootings and over 3,000 firearms seized in Montgomery County since 2023 are driving local leaders to strengthen enforcement against illegal guns, including ghost guns, officials said Monday.
“Last year, we had several incidents here in Montgomery County where guns were used to commit crimes in our schools,” Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada said during a bill signing ceremony. “Some of these weapons seized and used in these crimes were privately-manufactured firearms, or ghost guns.”
According to police, officers and law enforcement partners have seized more than 3,000 firearms between 2023 and 2025 while responding to more than 600 shooting incidents across the county.
“This bill provides all of our public safety partners with the necessary tools to combat the influx of illegal and unauthorized firearms in our communities, more effectively address the ever-present threat of gun violence and establish reasonable grounds for the safety and security of all,” Yamada said.
On Monday, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, the lead sponsor of Expedited Bill 23-26E, to sign legislation updating the County’s firearms law following an April Maryland Supreme Court ruling.
County officials said the legislation does not create new firearm restrictions, “this bill does not add new prohibitions on firearms,” Luedtke said. “What it does is correct existing law here in Montgomery County to conform to the ruling of the Maryland Supreme Court.”
The amended law maintains Montgomery County’s prohibition on carrying firearms within 100 yards of many sensitive public places, including schools, parks, libraries, polling places, houses of worship and legislative assemblies. It removes or modifies provisions that the Maryland Supreme Court determined must be regulated by the state rather than local governments.
The law removes some restrictions on ghost guns to comply with the Maryland Supreme Court’s ruling and allows concealed-carry permit holders to drive through restricted areas under certain conditions.
Luedtke said the emergency legislation was necessary to ensure the County’s firearm regulations remain enforceable. “The Maryland Supreme Court’s decision did not find any constitutional violations,” she said.
County Executive Elrich said the County remains committed to reducing gun violence despite the changes required by the court.
“Our commitment to public safety has not changed,” Elrich said. “Our goal remains exactly what it has always been, to do everything we legally can to reduce gun violence and protect our communities.”
Rita Montoya, an at-large member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, said the legislation sends an important message about youth safety.
“One of the first steps to youth gun violence prevention is establishing laws that make it clear what is and what is not acceptable,” Montoya said. “If we want to keep our children safe, it is up to us as adults to take concrete actions to do so.”
The bill was approved unanimously by the Montgomery County Council on July 21, signed by Elrich on Monday, and took effect immediately.
