SB281 - RESTRICTIONS

Maryland SB 281 proposes major restrictions on gun ownership
January 23, 2013 by Maryland Legislative Watch
SB 281 (the “Firearms Safety Act of 2013″) is proposed by SenatorMiller at the request of the O’Malley administration. It is co-sponsored by Senators Benson, Conway, Currie, Ferguson, Forehand, Frosh,Kelley, King, Madaleno, Manno, Montgomery, Peters, Pinsky, Ramirez,Raskin, Robey, Rosapepe, Young, and Zirkin.

Among other things, this legislation will classify, as “assault weapons”:
“ASSAULT pistol” means any of the following firearms:
(1) AA Arms AP�9 semiautomatic pistol;
(2) Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol;
(3) Claridge HI�TEC semiautomatic pistol;
(4) D Max Industries semiautomatic pistol;
(5) Encom MK�IV, MP�9, or MP�45 semiautomatic pistol;
(6) Heckler and Koch semiautomatic SP�89 pistol;
(7) Holmes MP�83 semiautomatic pistol;
(8) Ingram MAC 10/11 semiautomatic pistol and variations including 15 the Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray;
(9) Intratec TEC�9/DC�9 semiautomatic pistol in any centerfire variation;
(10) P.A.W.S. type semiautomatic pistol;
(11) Skorpion semiautomatic pistol;
(12) Spectre double action semiautomatic pistol (Sile, F.I.E., Mitchell);
(13) UZI semiautomatic pistol;
(14) Weaver Arms semiautomatic Nighthawk pistol; or
(15) Wilkinson semiautomatic “Linda” pistol.
(D) “ASSAULT WEAPON” MEANS:
(1) AN ASSAULT LONG GUN;
(2) AN ASSAULT PISTOL; OR
(3) A COPYCAT WEAPON.

In order to comply with the proposed law, current owners of deemed “assault weapons” must register their weapons with the state of Maryland:
A PERSON WHO LAWFULLY POSSESSED AN ASSAULT LONG GUN OR A COPYCAT WEAPON BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2013, AND WHO REGISTERS THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE POLICE BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2013, MAY:
(I) CONTINUE TO POSSESS THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON
OR (II) WHILE CARRYING A COURT ORDER REQUIRING THE SURRENDER OF THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON, TRANSPORT THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON DIRECTLY TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT, BARRACKS, OR STATION IF THE PERSON HAS NOTIFIED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT, BARRACKS, OR STATION THAT THE PERSON IS TRANSPORTING THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON IN ACCORDANCE WITH A COURT ORDER AND THE ASSAULT LONG GUN OR COPYCAT WEAPON IS UNLOADED.

This legislation also limits ammunition magazines to 10 rounds (likeHB 107/SB 539). SB 281 also requires one to take an approved firearm safety course from a state approved instructor.
Also worth noting, one may not get a state permit for a gun if one has a current non ex-parte order against him/her. This legislation also criminalizes the possession of ammunition if one is barred from owning a gun under this bill.

Also:
A PERSON WHO MOVES INTO THE STATE WITH THE INTENT OF BECOMING A RESIDENT SHALL REGISTER ALL REGULATED FIREARMS WITH THE SECRETARY WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY.

This bill is 38 pages long and above is just a portion of the proposed changes. It is cross filed (exact replica in both Houses) with HB 294.The fiscal and policy note is 30 pages and does a pretty thorough job of analyzing the bills’ effects.