Moms Demand Action seeks to strengthen Maryland's gun laws
The group Moms Demand Action is demanding state lawmakers take steps to strengthen Maryland's gun laws.
The gun violence prevention advocacy group was definitely seen and heard Thursday around the State House.
Hundreds of mothers visited the offices of state lawmakers. Andrea Chamblee, the widow of John McNamara, who was killed during the attack on the Capital Gazette newsroom, brought advocates to tears, providing intimate details on the impact of her husband's killing.
"I want you to be able to kiss your family members goodbye knowing that you will see them again. I want your children to practice art, music and math, instead of practicing active-shooter drills. I want us to take gun safety for granted. Let's make sure our legislators want that, too," Chamblee said.
The group is supporting a bill that would outlaw "ghost guns," or guns that have 80 percent of their parts legally purchased online and the remaining 20 percent purchased at a gun shop.
"They don't have serial numbers, they are not traceable, there's no background check when you are purchasing a ghost gun," said Delegate Kathleen Dumais, D-Montgomery County.
Moms Demand Action also supports banning 3D-printed guns, and the group is backing a measure that would close a background check loophole for rifles and shotguns. Sales of those weapons under Maryland law don't require unlicensed sellers to do a background check. The weapon used by the man charged in the Capital Gazette newsroom shooting was a shotgun.
"It's time that we do something about this in the state of Maryland," said Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, D-Prince George's County.
Denise Reid, a chaplain with the Baltimore Police Department, lost her 23-year-old son, Tavon, to gun violence. The shot severed his spine. He survived two years as a quadriplegic.
"Today, I walk for him. Today, I speak for him," Reid said.
Maryland Shall Issue, a gun rights group, could not be reached for comment. On its website, the group cites opposition to outlawing 3D-printed guns and ghost guns.