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| Md. Democrats pushing to strengthen state’s already strict gun laws | Md. Democrats pushing to strengthen state’s already strict gun laws |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Democratic lawmakers in Maryland on Wednesday proposed a package of gun bills designed to keep firearms off college campuses and out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and suspected terrorists. | Democratic lawmakers in Maryland on Wednesday proposed a package of gun bills designed to keep firearms off college campuses and out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers and suspected terrorists. |
| The legislation — along with two gun-control bills proposed Tuesday by Senate Majority Whip Jamie B. Raskin (D-Montgomery) — could set up a new standoff with Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association during his 2014 campaign. | The legislation — along with two gun-control bills proposed Tuesday by Senate Majority Whip Jamie B. Raskin (D-Montgomery) — could set up a new standoff with Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association during his 2014 campaign. |
| Hogan pledged as a candidate not to try to roll back Maryland’s existing gun laws, which are among the strictest in the nation. But gun rights advocates said Hogan told them he would look for ways to expand access to firearms. The governor has not made such proposals since taking office a year ago; his spokesman said he had no immediate comment on the bills unveiled by Democratic lawmakers this week. | Hogan pledged as a candidate not to try to roll back Maryland’s existing gun laws, which are among the strictest in the nation. But gun rights advocates said Hogan told them he would look for ways to expand access to firearms. The governor has not made such proposals since taking office a year ago; his spokesman said he had no immediate comment on the bills unveiled by Democratic lawmakers this week. |
| [Senate overrides Hogan’s veto of felon voting-rights bill] | [Senate overrides Hogan’s veto of felon voting-rights bill] |
| Legislation announced by Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery) and Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-Prince George’s) would ban firearm possession on public college and university campuses, with exemptions for police officers and security personnel. | Legislation announced by Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery) and Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-Prince George’s) would ban firearm possession on public college and university campuses, with exemptions for police officers and security personnel. |
| Another proposal, sponsored by Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Luke H. Clippinger (D-Baltimore), would prevent Maryland State Police from issuing gun permits to individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list. | Another proposal, sponsored by Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Luke H. Clippinger (D-Baltimore), would prevent Maryland State Police from issuing gun permits to individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list. |
| Raskin and Del. William C. Smith Jr. (Montgomery) announced legislation that would require courts to inform domestic abusers and felons within 48 hours of a conviction that they must turn over their firearms and verify within three days that they have complied. | Raskin and Del. William C. Smith Jr. (Montgomery) announced legislation that would require courts to inform domestic abusers and felons within 48 hours of a conviction that they must turn over their firearms and verify within three days that they have complied. |
| Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) and Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) offered support for the bills during a news conference, saying the proposals would make communities safer without violating residents’ Second Amendment rights. | Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) and Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) offered support for the bills during a news conference, saying the proposals would make communities safer without violating residents’ Second Amendment rights. |
| “Guns don’t need to be on college campuses,” Frosh said. “They don’t need to be in the hands of domestic abusers. These bills provide real measures of safety for real people.” | |
| Raskin on Tuesday announced legislation that would mandate background checks for purchases of rifles and shotguns and provide new tools to help alert local law enforcement when individuals who are barred from buying firearms try to purchase such weapons. | Raskin on Tuesday announced legislation that would mandate background checks for purchases of rifles and shotguns and provide new tools to help alert local law enforcement when individuals who are barred from buying firearms try to purchase such weapons. |
| Existing Maryland law requires criminal-background checks for handguns but not for shotguns and rifles. Raskin said his proposed changes “reflect common sense and are clearly constitutional.” | Existing Maryland law requires criminal-background checks for handguns but not for shotguns and rifles. Raskin said his proposed changes “reflect common sense and are clearly constitutional.” |
| [Gun-rights advocates believe Hogan is on their side] | [Gun-rights advocates believe Hogan is on their side] |
| If the General Assembly approves any of the measures, Hogan would have the option to sign the bills, veto them or allow the legislation to become law without his signature. | If the General Assembly approves any of the measures, Hogan would have the option to sign the bills, veto them or allow the legislation to become law without his signature. |
| In 2013, former governor Martin O’Malley (D) signed legislation that banned the sale of nearly all semiautomatic rifles and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 bullets; required new gun buyers to submit digital fingerprints to state police; limited firearm purchases for the mentally-ill; and required individuals who want to buy any gun other than a hunting rifle or shotgun to obtain a license, a process that includes classroom and firing-range training and extensive background checks. | In 2013, former governor Martin O’Malley (D) signed legislation that banned the sale of nearly all semiautomatic rifles and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 bullets; required new gun buyers to submit digital fingerprints to state police; limited firearm purchases for the mentally-ill; and required individuals who want to buy any gun other than a hunting rifle or shotgun to obtain a license, a process that includes classroom and firing-range training and extensive background checks. |
| Marylanders overwhelmingly supported stricter gun laws at the time. A Washington Post poll that year found that 62 percent said they favored the idea, including more than 75 percent of residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. | Marylanders overwhelmingly supported stricter gun laws at the time. A Washington Post poll that year found that 62 percent said they favored the idea, including more than 75 percent of residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. |
| [ Legal decision casts doubt on Maryland’s assault weapons ban ] | [ Legal decision casts doubt on Maryland’s assault weapons ban ] |
| Last week, a federal appeals court cast doubt on the legality of Maryland’s ban on semiautomatic, high-capacity assault weapons, sending the legislation back to a lower court for review but allowing the prohibition to continue. | Last week, a federal appeals court cast doubt on the legality of Maryland’s ban on semiautomatic, high-capacity assault weapons, sending the legislation back to a lower court for review but allowing the prohibition to continue. |
| A judge who wrote the majority opinion in the 2-to-1 decision said the provision should have been scrutinized with more stringent legal standards because it “significantly burdens the exercise of the right to arm oneself at home.” | A judge who wrote the majority opinion in the 2-to-1 decision said the provision should have been scrutinized with more stringent legal standards because it “significantly burdens the exercise of the right to arm oneself at home.” |