Yesterday, the House voted to pass Senate Bill 387, to ban Marylanders from building so-called "ghost guns." Unlike its companion bill, which is still in the House, SB 387 received amendments during the legislative process to avoid federal prohibitions for a possession violation. It will now go to Governor Larry Hogan’s desk for his consideration. Please contact Gov. Hogan and ask him to VETO SB 387.
Senate Bill 387 is overly broad, and will end the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use. It prohibits transfer or possession of certain unfinished firearm parts that are not regulated under federal law, as well as firearms without serial numbers, with an exemption for pre-1968 firearms and antiques.
It requires anyone who wishes to keep their previously legal items to have a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) apply a serial number to them, and then the owner must register them with the state police. Violations of selling or transferring, while misdemeanors, are punishable by up to five years of imprisonment, which results in the permanent loss of Second Amendment rights.
NRA thanks the senators who fought hard to alleviate the impact of this misguided bill on law-abiding gun owners. Again, please contact Gov. Hogan and ask him to VETO SB 387.