‘Delegate Mike McDermott Fights For The Second Amendment Rights Of Military, Physically Disabled, And Families’

(Annapolis) -- “Despite the serious erosion of our Second Amendment rights in the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill, I was able to offer several significant amendments approved by the Joint Committee which will remove burdens on the disabled and protect gun owners all over the state.” stated Delegate Michael A. McDermott (R-Worcester & Wicomico Counties). Today the House Judiciary Committee and Health & Government Operations Committee met to vote on SB-281, the so-called “Firearm Safety Act of 2013.”
Delegate McDermott’s first amendment adopted by the Joint Committee will exempt the Maryland Defense Force from many aspects of the bill. It would allow members of the Maryland Defense Force to buy guns from the list of banned “assault weapons” and to purchase or receive a handgun without having to show the Handgun Qualification License, that is created under SB-281. Additionally, it would allow members to sell, rent, and transfer a regulated firearm to another person without having to show a Handgun Qualification License. 
Delegate McDermott’s second amendment adopted by the Joint Committee allows anyone who is 18 years or older and serving in the Armed Forces or National Guard to purchase regulated firearms. Under the original bill, anyone under the age of 21 would have been prohibited from purchasing firearms. “This substantial change in the law will provide for our brave veterans to return home and have the ability to own firearms which, before, were kept from them simply because they were not yet 21. It is clearly a right they have earned in defending our country”, stated Delegate McDermott.
The third amendment adopted by the Joint Committee will protect individuals with physical disabilities from needing to go through a special board to get approval for the Handgun Qualification License. Under the original bill, anyone who had physical disabilities would have to apply to a special board in order to get a Handgun Qualification License. “I was pleased that we were able to remove this additional barrier to firearms ownership by the states disabled”, said Delegate McDermott. 
The last amendment adopted by the Joint Committee clarified that a person may obtain a regulated firearm through inheritance. Essentially, it will exempt inherited firearms from many of the other requirements in the bill and clears the way for possession by the heirs of regulated firearms. “This provides protections for transferring property in the form of firearms to your children and grandchildren,” said Delegate McDermott. 
Although these amendments passed, Delegate McDermott still strongly believes that this bill is a major infringement on Marylanders Second Amendment Rights. On the final committee vote on SB-281, Delegate McDermott stated “Not just no, but HELL NO!” The final vote count to SB-281 was 27-18. The bill is expected to be heard on the House Floor early next week.