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Md. Court Upholds State's Handgun Laws

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Court of Appeals has ruled the state's handgun laws are still constitutional despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down gun laws in Washington, D.C.

In an opinion issued Wednesday, the Maryland court affirmed a gun possession charge in Prince George's County against Charles F. Williams Jr. Williams said the state's gun regulations violated his right to "keep and carry arms" and based his argument in part on the Supreme Court's decision. Williams also based his argument on another recent gun decision by the Supreme Court in McDonald v. City of Chicago. But the appeals court unanimously rejected his claims and upheld his conviction.

The judges also said Williams didn't have standing to challenge gun permit laws because he hadn't applied for a permit to carry a gun.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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