The Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee advanced legislation to close dangerous loopholes in Maryland’s background check system:
“Rifles and shotguns can cause just as much death and devastation as handguns, and they should be subject to the same background check requirements,” said Danielle Veith, a volunteer with the Maryland Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’re thankful lawmakers are taking action on this common-sense bill, and we’ll continue to push for the strongest legislation possible because lives are on the line. We’re grateful for lawmakers like Sen. Lee, who has stood with us in this fight for common-sense gun safety. Now we look to Chair Smith for his continued leadership to advance the strongest policy possible as this legislation moves to the Senate floor.”
While the legislation sent to the Senate floor was amended, the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action will continue to push for the most comprehensive version of the bill. Last session, volunteers with Maryland Moms Demand Action spent countless hours urging lawmakers to pass comprehensive background check legislation. However, efforts to close Maryland’s dangerous background check loophole were blocked when since-departed Senate leadership ran out the clock.
Under current Maryland law, sales of rifles and shotguns by unlicensed sellers do not require a background check. That makes it easy for convicted felons, domestic abusers and other people who are legally prohibited from having guns to obtain these deadly weapons from unlicensed sellers through sales arranged online or at gun shows. For more than two decades, Maryland law has required background checks on all handgun sales.