Gun-rights activists are challenging a handgun licensing law in Maryland in federal court.
Maryland Shall Issue, a gun store and four residents filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Wednesday.
They contend the law reduces Maryland residents' constitutional rights ``to mere privileges.'' They also argue that the state's handgun licensing process is lengthy, expensive and invasive because it requires people to submit fingerprints to get a handgun license.
Vincent DeMarco, chairman of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, says the law is ``a lifesaving measure, which is clearly constitutional.''
The law is part of a sweeping gun-control measure approved in 2013. Gun-rights advocates also are challenging other parts of the law in another lawsuit against a ban on 45 assault weapons and a 10-round limit on gun magazines.
