The Maryland Firearm Safety Act of 2013, also known as SB281, significantly strengthened the state’s already strict gun laws by placing specific prohibitions on assault weapons and limiting ammunition magazines to no more than 10 rounds. The act also tightened license and training requirements including mandatory fingerprinting by the Maryland State Police before handgun purchases.
Since the bill was signed into law, it has continued to generate debate between gun advocates who contend that the law undermines Second Amendment rights and gun control groups who claim the law will save lives.
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Maryland gun laws were a hot topic just before the November midterm elections and the 2013 Firearm Safety Act was discussed at rallies to support gun control and in the arena of political debate, specifically in the state's guberbnatorial race between Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) and Republican Larry Hogan.
Here are seven quotes about the Maryland Firearm Safety Act Gun Law:
"This new law in Maryland is going to save lives. It is critical for the public safety of Marylanders that the people who get elected this November be fully committed to the Firearms Safety Act of 2013." –
Vincent DeMarco, president of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence
"The issue is owning a firearm is a constitutional right…Making licensing so restrictive [means you're saying] it’s OK for a rich person to own a gun but it’s not OK for a poor person to own a gun." –
Allan Kittleman, Republican candidate for county executive
"The government does not have any right under the Second Amendment to tell the citizens they cannot choose popular firearms." –
John Parker Sweeney, attorney representing groups against the Firearm Safety Act
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"Upon review of all the parties’ evidence, the court seriously doubts that the banned assault long guns are commonly possessed for lawful purposes, particularly self-defense in the home, which is at the core of the Second Amendment right." –
U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake
"States should have the authority to protect citizens from these weapons of mass destruction."
Vincent DeMarco, president of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence after federal judge Catherine C. Blake struck down a challenge to the Firearm Safety Act
"Look, what Maryland voters need is a governor who has the courage of their conviction to not only just say: 'Look, that's settled law, and I won't repeal it but the question is: Are you going to vigorously enforce it? Are you going to fund the enforcement, and are you going to embrace it?" –
Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown
"The Constitution has the Second Amendment in it, which, obviously, you have to protect peoples' Second Amendment rights, and we have a number of gun laws that I also have to agree to enforce." –
Larry Hogan, Republican candidate for governor
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws of your state and destination before travel.
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