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Committee hears bill to require secure firearm storage statewide amid debate over scope and penalties
Summary
Chair Bartlett introduced HB1608 on March 13 to tighten Maryland’s firearm‑storage rules, drawing support from gun‑violence researchers and public‑health groups and opposition from the NRA and 2A advocates who called several provisions vague, costly or constitutionally problematic; committee members requested further drafting and possible AG review.
Chair Bartlett introduced House Bill 16‑08 to the House Judiciary Committee on March 13, describing the measure as an expansion of Maryland’s child‑access and secure‑storage rules intended to reduce child access, suicide and firearm theft.
"House Bill 16‑08 expands this prohibition to both locked, loaded, and unloaded firearms," Bartlett said, explaining the bill focuses on whether a firearm is stored in a way that makes unsupervised access by a minor likely and creates a secure‑storage standard and graduated penalties for repeated violations.
Supporters included Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence (Karen Herron), the Brady Campaign (Daniel Segura), the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions (Molly Berger), youth advocates and health professionals.…
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