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MD Bill to Regulate Sale & Transfer of Rifles & Shotguns

creative commons

Maryland lawmakers are expected to take up a measure that would regulate the sales and transfers of rifles and shotguns.

While current state law regulates other types of firearms such as handguns and assault rifles it does not apply to rifles and shotguns.

The measure would require the sale, often through a third party, to be from the owner.

There must be a background check on the transferee through the FBI background check system and it must comply with all federal and state laws.

A similar measure failed to get the approval of a Senate committee in last year’s session.

Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary told Capital News Servicethat there are serious challenges ahead…including the fear by some citizens that their Second Amendment Rights are being taken away.  

Mark Pennak, president of Maryland Shall Issue told the news service that transfers and loans are common in rural areas when one person may casually loan another a rifle which could be deemed a crime.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.