BALTIMORE — In an effort to strengthen gun control measures, Maryland legislators have reintroduced a proposal aimed at encouraging state and local governments nationwide to adopt stricter gun licensing laws. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Jamie Raskin, both Maryland Democrats, are spearheading the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act, which mandates that individuals obtain a license before purchasing a handgun.
This legislative initiative, originally launched by Van Hollen in 2015, has gained additional traction following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to maintain Maryland’s stringent gun licensing regulations. These regulations, which emerged from the state’s 2013 Handgun Qualification Licensing Law, require individuals to undergo safety training, submit fingerprints, and pass a background check prior to purchasing a handgun. This law was a direct response to the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012.
Maryland’s efforts to curb gun violence have been substantiated by various studies, including a notable 2015 research by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. The study found that handgun licensing laws contributed to a significant 11% reduction in firearm homicides in urban counties between 1984 and 2015.
Furthermore, an analysis specific to Maryland’s legislation found an impressive 82% reduction in the recovery of handguns by the Baltimore Police Department, which showed signs of being used for criminal activities. This underscores the effectiveness of stringent licensing in preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
Adding to the state’s proactive measures, Maryland established the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention in 2024. This initiative followed a call by the White House to tackle the issue of gun violence more aggressively. In the same year, Gov. Wes Moore signed a law that enables state and local authorities to hold firearm manufacturers accountable in civil court. Another legislative measure targeted “rapid fire trigger activators,” commonly known as Glock switches, by expanding definitions and imposing bans.
Attorney General Anthony Brown has also been active in these efforts, aligning with a coalition of 16 attorneys general in 2024 to hold the firearm industry responsible for its role in gun violence. Brown emphasized that gun violence not only devastates communities but also poses a severe threat to the safety of Maryland families. He insisted that firearm manufacturers must take responsibility and contribute to addressing this critical issue.
Additionally, Brown joined his Democratic counterparts from other states to defend two federal gun regulations that are currently facing legal challenges.
This aggressive approach by Maryland to enforce gun control measures and hold the firearm industry accountable is indicative of a broader commitment to combat gun violence and enhance public safety across the state.
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