Maryland House Approves Bill Requiring Background Checks for Long Gun Purchases
March 19, 2019
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill requiring background checks for purchases of all long guns, including shotguns and rifles on Monday night.
Proponents of the legislation say it wouldn’t hinder law-abiding gun owners from obtaining weapons and could prevent mentally ill and criminal individuals from acquiring them. The bill was born out of the 2018 Capital Gazette Newspaper shooting in Annapolis, in which a shotgun was used.
Opponents argue the bill would be a burden to private gun owners and that long guns are rarely used by criminals.
The bill now goes to the Maryland State Senate. Governor Larry Hogan has expressed support of universal background checks.
