NCLA has won an important preliminary victory for members of the Silver Spring Jewish Center who want to protect their congregation.

In this episode of Unwritten Law, NCLA President and Chief Legal Officer Mark Chenoweth and Senior Litigation Counsel John Vecchione are joined by Senior Litigation Counsel Jacob Huebert to discuss the latest development in Silver Spring Jewish Center v. Montgomery County.

Montgomery County banned firearms at places of public assembly, including houses of worship, as well as within 100 yards of those locations. The restrictions prevented the Silver Spring Jewish Center from continuing to use its internal security team of trained, licensed congregants—a security measure the synagogue adopted following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitism. UL Silver Spring Jewish Center

A federal judge has now issued a preliminary injunction allowing members to carry firearms at the synagogue, finding that NCLA's clients are likely to succeed on their claims under both the Second Amendment and the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause.

But the fight isn't over.

The court left Montgomery County's 100-yard restriction in place. That presents a particular problem for Orthodox Jewish members who must walk to synagogue on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. As Jacob explains, one of NCLA's clients cannot make that walk without passing within 100 yards of parks, schools, or other prohibited locations. UL Silver Spring Jewish Center

Mark, John, and Jacob discuss the court's ruling, why NCLA is asking the judge to reconsider the 100-yard restriction, and the unusual collision of Second Amendment and religious-liberty rights at the heart of the case.