Wolford v. Lopez: The Supreme Court Case Every Maryland Carry Permit Holder Should Be Watching

Sometime in the next few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case about a Hawaii gun law. If you carry in Maryland, you should care — because the answer will decide where you can legally carry here at home.

 What the case is about

In 2023, Hawaii passed a law making it a crime for a licensed carrier to bring a handgun onto private property that's open to the public — stores, restaurants, gas stations — unless the owner gives **express permission** first. No sign saying "guns welcome," no carry. Critics call this a "vampire rule": like a vampire, you can't come in unless you're invited.

The Ninth Circuit upheld Hawaii's law. The Supreme Court agreed to take the case, [*Wolford v. Lopez*](https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/wolford-v-lopez/), and heard argument on January 20, 2026. A decision is expected by early summer — meaning any week now.

Why this matters in Maryland

Maryland passed its own vampire rule in 2023 as part of the same post-*Bruen* law (SB1) that created our long list of "sensitive places." Under that provision, even with a Wear and Carry Permit, you couldn't enter most businesses while armed unless the owner had expressly said yes.

That rule is currently **dead**. In [*Kipke v. Moore*](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca4/24-1799/24-1799-2026-01-20.html), decided this past January, the Fourth Circuit unanimously struck it down, writing that it would "effectively declare most public places 'gun-free zones'" and that the law was "directed at gun owners, not property owners."

So today, the default in Maryland is back to normal: a permit holder may carry into an ordinary business open to the public **unless the owner prohibits it** — a posted sign, or being asked to leave, still controls. Property owners always have the final word on their own property.

Here's the catch: Hawaii's law and Maryland's law are nearly identical. If the Supreme Court upholds Hawaii's rule in *Wolford*, Maryland's version could come back to life. If the Court strikes it down, the *Kipke* ruling is locked in nationwide.

What *Wolford* won't change

Either way, SB1's other no-carry zones were **upheld** in *Kipke* and remain off-limits even with a permit: school grounds, government buildings, health care facilities, mass transit, state parks and forests, museums, stadiums, racetracks, amusement parks, casinos, within 1,000 feet of public demonstrations — and establishments licensed for on-site alcohol or cannabis consumption. That last one surprises people: carry in alcohol-serving restaurants was briefly legal under a lower-court ruling, but the ban has been back in force since January 2026.

 Bottom line

Where you can carry in Maryland has changed three times in three years, and it may change again before the Fourth of July. Respect posted property either way, and when the *Wolford* decision drops, I'll break down exactly what it means for Maryland permit holders.

*This post is general educational information, current as of June 10, 2026 — it is not legal advice, and laws change. Consult a Maryland-licensed attorney about your specific situation.*