Maryland: Anti-Gun Bills Up For Committee Hearing Tomorrow

Tomorrow, your NRA-ILA Grassroots team is hosting a pro-2A meet-up at the Capitol before the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing at 1 p.m.  Anti-gun bills are on the agenda, and we need as many pro-gun advocates as we can get.  Please join us in conference Room 415 in the James Senate Office Building from 9:00 a.m. until noon. We will have free NRA Gear and information on how to become more involved. We encourage you to attend to show your strong opposition to Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 86, and Senate Bill 113.

Senate Bill 1 expands gun-free zones where law-abiding citizens will not be able to carry for self-defense. This patchwork of so-called “sensitive areas” does nothing more than create confusion for law-abiding citizens, while being ignored by criminals.  Proponents fail to explain how disarming law-abiding, trained, and licensed individuals will accomplish safety from criminals who do not obey the law. They present no plan to disarm violent criminals, who already ignore existing laws.

Senate Bill 86 raises the age to purchase a firearm to 21. If passed, this would end youth hunting. Individuals who are old enough to vote, join the military, or enter into contracts should also be allowed to purchase firearms. Raising the age limit is an unnecessary restriction on personal freedom and choice. Also, raising the age will not stop criminals from stealing firearms, getting them on the black market, or getting them from straw purchasers. SB 86 will only infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Senate Bill 113 holds the gun industry members liable for third-party criminal acts, by “knowingly or recklessly creating, maintaining, or contributing to a public nuisance.” It is possible a gun sold lawfully could later fall into a criminal’s hands, whether through theft, secondary transfer, or some other circumstance wholly beyond a manufacturer’s or dealer’s control. If every such occasion could subject an industry member to liability, it would be all but impossible for businesses that support the Second Amendment to exist.

Again, we hope to see you tomorrow to show your strong opposition to SB 1, SB 86, and SB 113. Stay tuned to your inbox and www.nraila.org for updates on the status of these anti-gun bills.