Thousands Turn Out To Testify in Gun Control Hearing
By: Ananda Rochita
Updated: March 1, 2013
ANNAPOLIS, MD- Almost 6,000 people turned out to testify in the committee where Governor Martin O'Malley's gun control package is being heard.
The hearing started Friday afternoon over whether assault weapons could wind up banned in Maryland if the Governor's bill passes in the General Assembly.
Washington County Delegate Neil Parrott serves on the House Judiciary Committee and sent WHAG a picture showing the governor sitting in the front row, getting ready to testify.
Parrott says of the almost 6,000 people who've signed up to testify, 4,600 hundred of them are on the pro-gun side. The Firearm Safety Act of 2013 would ban assault weapons, limit magazine capacity, require handgun purchases to give fingerprints and increase restrictions on the mentally ill purchasing guns.
The hearing started at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, and Delegate Parrott expects it to go until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The bill will go to the full house floor for debate, if it makes it out of committee.
Senator Ron Young is still the only western Maryland lawmaker to co-sponsor the bill. The Maryland Senate passed the bill on Wednesday evening, with a 28 to 19 vote.
To read the bill in its entirety, click here.
The hearing started Friday afternoon over whether assault weapons could wind up banned in Maryland if the Governor's bill passes in the General Assembly.
Washington County Delegate Neil Parrott serves on the House Judiciary Committee and sent WHAG a picture showing the governor sitting in the front row, getting ready to testify.
Parrott says of the almost 6,000 people who've signed up to testify, 4,600 hundred of them are on the pro-gun side. The Firearm Safety Act of 2013 would ban assault weapons, limit magazine capacity, require handgun purchases to give fingerprints and increase restrictions on the mentally ill purchasing guns.
The hearing started at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, and Delegate Parrott expects it to go until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The bill will go to the full house floor for debate, if it makes it out of committee.
Senator Ron Young is still the only western Maryland lawmaker to co-sponsor the bill. The Maryland Senate passed the bill on Wednesday evening, with a 28 to 19 vote.
To read the bill in its entirety, click here.
Comments
I wish my magazine held less ammunition. Said no one. Ever. Who is being or might be attacked by a violent criminal.
USArmy9296 U.
March 2, 2013 at 8:39 am
