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Senate advances bill targeting convertible pistols after hours of debate
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Summary
After extended floor exchanges over scope, penalties and constitutionality, the Senate adopted three committee amendments and ordered Senate Bill 334 (prohibiting certain readily-convertible semiautomatic pistols) printed for third reading.
Senators debated Senate Bill 334, a bill that targets semiautomatic pistols with a “cruciform trigger bar” that law enforcement says can be readily converted into automatic weapons using common household tools. After hours of questions and objections about scope and penalties, the Senate adopted three committee amendments and ordered the bill printed for third reading.
The bill's sponsor described the measure as a design regulation aimed at machines that "can be readily converted into a machine gun using common household tools," saying law enforcement is encountering more of these guns in the field. "We're trying to make our communities safe from machine guns," the sponsor said.
Opponents questioned whether the bill will punish law-abiding owners or improperly single out commonly sold firearms rather than the criminal actors who convert weapons. One senator warned the measure could "create criminals of people and, frankly, businesses" and pressed for amendments to increase penalties for those who illegally convert or misuse the weapons.
Several senators raised constitutional concerns and asked whether the Maryland Attorney General had weighed in; the sponsor said he had sought a confidential AG opinion and, summarizing his review of precedent, stated "this bill is constitutional." Other senators expressed skepticism and said they expected future court challenges.
Committee amendments adopted clarified the bill's definitions and procedure, including a role for the Maryland State Police to identify qualifying makes and models. The sponsor said law enforcement and committee testimony listed multiple manufacturers that use the specific cruciform trigger design, and that exemptions for law enforcement purchases remain in place.
On procedure earlier in the debate, the minority whip requested a special order to give members another day to file amendments; senators divided and a later voice vote on a special-order request failed ("the noes have it"). Ultimately, without further objections the committee's amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
Next step: Senate Bill 334 is printed for third reading and will be eligible for floor amendments and third-reading consideration on the calendar.
