Advocates for gun control rallied in Annapolis to revive bill
Legislation requiring a background check on long guns, rifles and shotguns has hit a wall at the statehouse.
On Thursday, gun control advocates rallied in Annapolis in an attempt to revive the bill.
The concern is that the bill hasn't moved on the Senate floor. It requires a background check for all transfers of rifles and shotguns, this includes rentals, gifts and loans.
Gun control advocates Moms Demand Action for gun sense in America are worried. The Senate isn't moving legislation requiring background checks on rifles and shotguns. The House version of the bill added exemptions. Moms Demand Action are embracing the House bill which is also before the Senate.
"Anything that creates an unnecessary loophole that allows people to transfer guns without a background check is troubling to us," said Andrea Chamblee, widow of Capital Gazette sports writer John McNamara.
Moms Demand Action marched on the Capitol wearing bright red T-shirts. They ended up in the Senate gallery staring down lawmakers as an in your face reminder how important the legislation is to them.
Sen. Robert Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, who also serves as chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, says the bill will be taken up on the floor soon.
"The House language, I'm not sure which language is correct but when we were talking through the philosophy of what it is, everybody is in agreement as to what we should do," said Zirkin.
Senate Republican leaders predict if the bill passes, hammering out the differences with the House will be tough.
"The bill the House sent over to us actually regulates long guns, hunting rifles and shotguns at a harsher standard than we would regulate assault weapons and handguns," said Sen. Michael Hough, R-Frederick and Carroll counties.
The Senate is expected to vote on the bill. The question is whether there's enough time left to work out differences between the House and Senate and then send it to Gov. Larry Hogan.