2 gun-control measures fail to pass in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Two high-profile gun control measures died in the Maryland General Assembly after getting fervent support from mothers who wanted tighter access to firearms and fierce opposition from critics who flew their message with an airplane around the Maryland State House.

One measure would have required background checks anytime someone buys a rifle or shotgun. Supporters said it was needed to close a loophole in Maryland law enabling private sales of long guns without background checks.

“I’m incredibly disappointed. A lot of the moms were consistent in coming down and being very supportive,” said Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, a Democrat who said she planned to try again next year.

Supporters included Andrea Chamblee, the wife of John McNamara, one of the five employees killed by a man armed with a shotgun at the nearby Capital Gazette newspaper last year. The man charged with first-degree murder in the case obtained the gun legally. Supporters of the bill say someone who could not pass a background check could buy the same gun through a private sale with no questions asked.

Opponents, including the National Rifle Association, contended the measure would have made it harder for law-abiding gun owners to possess and transfer their property. Second Amendment advocates flew a message over the Maryland State House on Monday with an airplane pulling a banner.

“We will not comply! How about you Larry?” the banner read, in a reference to Gov. Larry Hogan.

Sen. Michael Hough, a Frederick County Republican, said there were big differences between measures approved in the House and Senate. He said the House bill went too far by regulating the transfer of antiques.

“It just didn’t make sense,” Hough said. “Are we really talking about regulating muskets?”

Hough said he supported a better bill that passed, sponsored by Baltimore Sen. Bill Ferguson, closing a loophole that makes it difficult to enforce illegal gun transfers. Current law doesn’t define what qualifies as a “transfer” of a gun, and courts have accepted the argument that the law does not apply to a loan.

“I think that bill is way more impactful than long guns,” Hough said.

A bill to ban 3D-printed gun blueprints and “ghost guns” also failed. The bill had been a priority of Democrats who control the General Assembly near the start of the legislative session in January.

Del. Kathleen Dumais, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, said it drew opposition from people who questioned why hobbyists who like to build guns shouldn’t be allowed to make them. A regulatory framework to put serial numbers on guns of that type proved to be a complicated and costly challenge in the waning days of the session.

“I’ll look at it over in the interim, and I certainly plan to introduce it again, because it’s a loophole that we need to address,” Dumais said.

Here’s a look at some other measures that made headlines but failed to pass in Maryland this session:

REDISTRICTING REFORM

The legislature again did not act on Hogan’s proposal to create a nonpartisan redistricting process to draw congressional and state legislative districts. “It’s a disgrace, really, that our legislators would not allow a vote, or even a hearing, on these reforms,” said Michael Ricci, Hogan’s spokesman.

ASSISTED SUICIDE

A measure to allow the terminally ill to end their lives with a doctor’s help failed on a tie vote in the Senate.

REPEAT OFFENDERS

Hogan’s proposed measure to increase penalties on repeat, violent firearm offenders also did not pass.

SEX ABUSE-LITIGATION

A measure to end the statute of limitations for when victims of child sexual abuse can file lawsuits was approved by the House, but failed in the Senate.

PREAKNESS FUTURE

A bill also failed to pass that would have allowed The Stronach Group to use state bonds for improvements at Laurel Park and Bowie Training Center, if it redeveloped the Pimlico Race Course, where the second-leg of the Triple Crown is held. Baltimore’s House delegation opposed the move over concern about the company potentially moving the Preakness out of the Baltimore track.