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Maryland House rejects floor amendments as debate continues over ban on handguns convertible to automatic fire
Summary
Delegates debated House Bill 577 — a measure that would bar sale of handguns designed so they can be easily converted into automatic weapons — and rejected two floor amendments on constitutional and theft‑penalty grounds; bill advanced toward third reading.
Annapolis, March 19, 2026 — The Maryland House of Delegates spent more than an hour debating House Bill 577, a measure targeting handguns that critics say are easily modified into automatic weapons, and rejected two floor amendments before ordering the bill for third reading.
The minority whip, who offered the first amendment, framed it as a constitutional safety valve, saying the amendment would make the bill "implode" if any part were found unconstitutional. "If this bill is found unconstitutional, that the bill goes away," the minority whip said, urging colleagues to accept the safeguard. The House voted the amendment down; the clerk recorded 95 votes in the negative.
Floor leaders and bill supporters said the measure is a consumer‑safety and public‑safety initiative.…
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