ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O’Malley on Friday underscored the need for new licensing requirements for handguns, while a leading Maryland lawmaker recommended the provision in a comprehensive gun-control measure be considered separately due to the potential for considerable opposition.
O’Malley was joined at a news conference by police, lawmakers, House Speaker Michael Busch and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker.
The governor defended the licensing proposal and outlined his public safety priorities for the legislative session. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who also attended, will be leading the administration’s push to get the gun-control bill through the Legislature.
“If you have to get a license to drive a car on the streets or a motorcycle on the streets, I think most Marylanders — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — agree that you should have to be licensed in order to operate a firearm,” said the Democratic governor.
The licensing provision would require residents to be fingerprinted by the Maryland State Police before purchasing a handgun. Fingerprints now are only required for gun owners who get wear and carry permits. The proposal also would require handgun purchasers to take a hands-on safety training course, rather than simply watching an online video.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Friday he believed lawmakers from rural parts of the state, as well as legislators from Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, would not be receptive to the licensing provision.
“I think it would jeopardize other aspects of the gun-control bill if they were tied in together to one bill,” Miller, D-Calvert, said. “I think it should be a separate proposal, but again, we haven’t seen the bill.”
O’Malley’s proposal to address gun violence, which he first discussed publicly during a summit Monday at Johns Hopkins University, would make $25 million available for schools to invest in security like locks, cameras and buzzer entrance systems. O’Malley also wants to boost the number of Maryland State Police officers with two new classes including 65 to 80 people in each. The governor also wants to ban assault weapons and limit magazine capacity from 20 rounds to 10.
Republicans criticized the proposal.
“The bad guys will still have assault weapons,” Delegate Michael Smigiel, R-Cecil, said. “They’ll still have magazines that have over 30-round clips. Nothing that’s been proposed is going to have any effect on the illegal possession of firearms. It’s only going to affect those who legally own them.”
The bill also includes provisions to address mental health issues. For example, the bill would prohibit firearms access to people who are in a guardianship, because they have been ruled unable to make decisions for themselves. Residents under civil commitment who have been identified as posing a risk of violence also would be prohibited firearms access.
“The reasons these proposals are there are based on input that we received from experts in mental health and violence,” said Joshua Sharfstein, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “It’s an expansion of the prohibited-persons list, but it’s a targeted expansion based on where we think the risk is.”
O’Malley outlined some other public safety goals as well. The governor will seek to renew a DNA sample collection law for people charged with violent crimes and burglary, a law that is set to expire at the end of the year. Maryland’s highest court has ruled the collections are unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case.
Local News
Related Photos
-
O’Malley: Stricter gun licensing
O’Malley: Stricter gun licensing
- Local News
-
-
City man’s love of baseball goes coast-to-coast
As an eight-year-old Pennsylvania Avenue kid, Kevin Ogle’s love for the game of baseball took him to every ballfield in South End for spontaneous pick-up games with neighborhood friends.
-
Teachers slam McKay on letter remark
Teachers and a Board of Education member are challenging County Commissioner Michael McKay’s characterization of a letter he received from a teacher as an attack on his family.
-
DelFest offers more than just bluegrass music
The sixth annual DelFest at the Allegany County Fairgrounds progressed into Saturday afternoon of the Memorial Day weekend and the weather warmed.
Cumberland got mighty cold Friday night as festivalgoers were bundled in scarves, gloves and hats to avoid the windy and chilly conditions. -
It’s high time for DelFest to fire up local economy
For the time being, I’m going to drop being a reporter covering DelFest for a moment and approach the community I grew up in and currently reside in from an opportunity perspective that shoots from the heart.
-
Raises for 911 workers for next 3 years
County emergency dispatchers will see increases in pay for the next three years under a contract signed by workers and Allegany County Thursday evening.
-
Some area pools set to open this weekend
The arrival of the Memorial Day weekend also means the unofficial start of the summer season — and a chance to go swimming at area pools.
-
City’s historic Gordon-Roberts House appoints new director
Sharon Nealis, who retired Friday after 18 years as executive director of The Gordon-Roberts House on Washington Street, believes the enthusiasm and youth of her replacement will benefit the popular historical attraction.
-
Oakland man, 32, charged in blaze at ex’s home
A joint investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of an Oakland man for allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home last Sunday.
-
Two officer assaults prompt prison lockdown at Somerset
Serious assaults of two correctional officers in the last two weeks prompted a lockdown of the Somerset Correctional Institution for a second day Friday, according to Heidi Sroka, SCI public information officers and superintendent assistant.
-
A senior moment
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Today in History May 25
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
