Legal Review: Gun Control Debate Rages Again Throughout Baltimore and Rest of the State

By Criminal Defense Attorney Kush Arora of Price Benowitz LLP

Maryland is one of many states that has experienced many tragic shootings. Most recently, a man in Baltimore shot and killed two people while injuring ten others at a video game tournament.

In addition to this tragic incident, a high school student at Great Mills High School was killed by a 17-year-old gunman. A newspaper office in the capital was also the site of a tragic shooting that killed five employees. These shootings have all occurred within the last year, which has prompted lawmakers to tighten gun control in the state.

One of the new laws is the red flag law, a law many other states have already enacted. This law states that courts can be petitioned to have firearms taken away from those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.

The new law states that only police, medical professionals, close relatives and those in a romantic relationship with the person can petition the court. Lawmakers have stated though, that they will consider expanding the categories of those eligible to submit a petition.

In addition to this law, lawmakers have also banned bump stocks. These stocks are accessories for semi-automatic rifles that increase the firing rate of those firearms. A bump stock was used during the Las Vegas shooting in October of 2017.

The new laws also focus on those that have been convicted of domestic abuse. While these individuals have not been allowed to purchase new firearms, they will now also be required to turn in any firearms they had previously owned.

The new laws are meant to keep those in Baltimore and throughout Maryland safe. Some critics say though, the new laws are going too far, particularly if more people can petition a court under the red flag law. The criticism stems from the fact that anyone would be able to identify someone as a threat, and innocent people would have their firearms, and their rights, taken away.

“Maryland already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country,” says Kush Arora of Price Benowitz, LLP. “Of course it is important to keep all citizens of the state safe. Often, this means creating new laws. However, it is just as important that lawmakers ensure they are not impeding on anyone’s freedoms provided by the Second Amendment while doing so. Whether or not these new laws, or more in the future, will be an infringement remains to be seen.”