It looks like March is going to be a busy month in the Maryland General Assembly, as the Maryland House and Senate committees have scheduled their respective gun days.
The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action reports the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee has marked down its “Gun Day” for Mar. 8, and the House Judiciary Committee has scheduled its for Mar. 14.
Below is a list of some of the gun legislation that will be heard, organized by the associated day and committee.
Mar. 1 – Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Senate Bill 946, proposed by Democratic Sen. William C. Smith Jr., would prohibit the carrying of firearms on all public college campuses in the state. Violation of that prohibition would be considered a felony and punishable by up to three years in prison. Current law leaves it to the discretion of each university to implement policies regarding guns on campus.
Mar. 2 – House Judiciary Committee
House Bill 294, proposed by Democrat Del. Kathleen Dumais, would prohibit individuals that received probation before judgement for domestic violence assaults of the second degree, which in Maryland does not require injury, only unwanted physical contact.
Mar. 8 – Senate Judicial Proceedings – GUN DAY
Gun Control Bills
Senate Bill 224 is sponsored by Democrat Sen. Susan Lee and is identical to House Bill 294, which would prohibit individuals that received probation before judgement for domestic violence assaults of the second degree.
Senate Bill 467, sponsored by Democrat Sen. Brian Feldman, would prevent a person from possessing an antique firearm if that person is also disqualified from owning a rifle or shotgun.
Senate Bill 948, sponsored by Democrat Sen. William C. Smith Jr., would require individuals to be federally licensed firearms dealers in order to privately transfer or receive in a transfer specified rifles and shotguns. If not federal licensed, those individuals would have to seek out a federally licensed dealer to facilitate the transfer.
Mar. 14 – House Judiciary Committee
Pro-Gun Bills
House Bill 59, sponsored by Republican Del. Seth Howard, would authorize a person to replace a lawfully possessed assault weapon that has been broken or lost. The replacement would have to be registered with the Secretary of State Police.
House Bill 1036, sponsored by Republican Del. Deborah Rey, would allow applicants to obtain preliminary approval for handgun permits before completing the necessary training. This would let applicants know whether or not they’ll be approved before spending time and money on the training.
Gun Control Bills
House Bill 318, sponsored by Democrat Del. Aruna Miller, is the sister bill to SB 467, which would prevent a person from possessing an antique firearm if that person is also disqualified from owning a rifle or shotgun.
House Bill 1448, sponsored by Democrat Del. Dereck Davis, is the sister bill to SB 948, which would would require individuals to be federally licensed firearms dealers in order to privately transfer or receive in a transfer specified rifles and shotguns. If not federal licensed, those individuals would have to seek out a federally licensed dealer to facilitate the transfer.
