Maryland: Senate Committee to Hear Two Anti-Gun Bills Next Week!

On Thursday, February 10 at 1:00 p.m., the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will consider two divisive pieces of anti-gun legislation. The first, Senate Bill 161, is a perennial bill by anti-gun legislators in Maryland which would create unnecessary hurdles in an attempt to dissuade people from filing for a state-regulated firearms dealer’s license.  Also scheduled to be considered is Senate Bill 162, legislation which would ban the manufacture or any type of transfer of so called “large capacity magazines” in Maryland.

Senate Bill 161 would allow the Secretary of State Police to reject the license application if it is determined that someone whose license was previously suspended or revoked is involved.  It would also unnecessarily duplicate recordkeeping and other requirements that have been in place at the federal level since 1968. Several provisions of SB 161 mirror federal law and are already illegal. Where it does not mirror federal law, it imposes restrictions greater than those already in place.

Senate Bill 162 would make it illegal for anyone to manufacture, sell, offer to sell, purchase, receive or transfer any detachable magazine with a capacity of more than ten rounds, except for .22 caliber firearms. Any violation and conviction would result in a punishment not to exceed three years and a fine not to exceed $5,000 or both. 

It is important that you contact members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and strongly urge them to OPPOSE SB 161 and SB 162. Committee contact information can be found below.

Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee:

Senator Brian E. Frosh (D-16), Chairman
[email protected]

Senator Lisa A. Gladden (D-41), Vice Chairman
[email protected]  

Senator Christopher B. Shank (R-2)
[email protected]

Senator Joseph M. Getty (R-5)
[email protected]

Senator Norman R. Stone, Jr. (D-6)
[email protected] 

Senator Robert A. Zirkin (D-11)
[email protected]

Senator Jennie M. Forehand (D-17)
[email protected] 

Senator Jamin B. Raskin (D-20)
[email protected]

Senator Nancy Jacobs (R-34)
[email protected] 

Senator James Brochin (D-42)
[email protected] 

Senator Victor R. Ramirez (D-47)
[email protected]