Arsenal Attorneys on behalf of six Maryland citizens is suing Howard County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City in federal district court over their bans on Tasers and stun guns. The three Maryland localities prohibit their residents and visitors from possessing and using non-lethal electrical conductive weapons such as Tasers or stun guns even in the home.  The Washington Post reported on the case on February 4, 2017.

Leah Elizabeth Baran, a domestic violence survivor, is the lead plaintiff in the case. Ms. Baran barely survived an abduction, rape and vicious beating at the hands of a former boyfriend. “His last words to me were if I go to jail, as soon as I get out, I’m coming for you and I am going to kill you,” Baran told The Washington Post. “And I believe every word of it.” believe every word of it.” He is now indeed serving time in prison for his attack on her. She believes that when he is released from prison he will indeed try to kill her.

Each plaintiff in the case is trained in firearms, owns guns, and are willing to use them in appropriate circumstances. However, each plaintiff stated a desire to have available a non-lethal weapon to avoid using deadly force against an attack, if possible. Ms. Baran has applied for a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit, which is currently pending before the Maryland State Police.

Last August Arsenal Attorneys’ George Lyon successfully sued the District of Columbia over its ban on electronic weapons as an unconstituional infringement of the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms. In response, the District agreed in September to allow Arsenal’s clients to possess Tasers or stun guns, and agreed to pay Arsenal’s attorneys’ fees in bringing the suit. Since that time, the DC City Council has passed emergency temporary legislation repealing the electronic weapons ban. A permanent repeal is pending the DC mayor’s signature and Congressional review.