League Opposes “Comprehensive Destruction of Gun Safety Laws”

Although 32 bills have been filed which would change or modify Maryland’s gun laws, it appears that the major decisions on the right to bear arms will be made by the United States Supreme Court which is currently deliberating on whether and how the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution should apply to the states.

Thirty-two bills relating to firearms have been filed at this writing, of which LWVMD is currently following five. Backed by the League, but withdrawn following an unfavorable report from Judicial Proceedings, is SB 516, which would have established an assault weapons ban. (See RSC 1 and 2).

Nineteen bills relating to firearms have been filed at this writing, of which three appear of most interest to the League. Back again this year is an assault weapons bill, SB 516 (Lenett plus 14) Maryland Assault Weapons Ban of 2010, which would designate specified firearms as assault weapons and require the Handgun Roster Board to compile and maintain a roster of prohibited assault weapons.

Legislation which would prohibit weapons at Maryland colleges has been filed again this year as SB 191 Weapons - Free Higher Education Zones (Lenett plus 21). An identical bill, filed in 2009 following the gun-related tragedy at Virginia Tech, died as a result of an unfavorable report from the Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Of the 33 gun-related bills now filed, LWVMD interest is centered on those dealing with the surrender of firearms on the issuance of temporary protective orders. The House bills were heard by JUD February 17 and the Senate bills by JPR February 12, without reports.  Please see the “Domestic Violence “section of this RSC.