April 08, 2022
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Maryland 'ghost gun' ban to become law, Hogan won't sign - WJLA

Gov. Larry Hogan, House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson in a presser. (AP Photo)
Gov. Larry Hogan, House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson in a presser. (AP Photo)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland measure to ban guns without serial numbers will go into effect without Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature.

The governor made the announcement Friday on the first of more than three dozen bills he is expected to make decisions about that the General Assembly presented to him early. He has the options of signing the bills, vetoing them or letting them go into law without his signature.

Montgomery County Police provide a photo of a ghost gun associated with a Clarksburg High School student that prompted a lockdown on April 6, 2022. (7News)

The measure banning untraceable firearms requires guns made after Oct. 22, 1968, to have serial numbers. Law enforcement officials have said the weapons, which are often purchased over the internet, have become more common in Maryland.

The bill also covers guns that are inherited or bought as parts or kits on the Internet. The ghost guns don't normally have serial numbers and are deemed untraceable.

A replica handgun was recovered inside the locker of a middle school student. (credit: Charles County Sheriff's Office)

The bill would ban the sale of ghost guns on June 1, 2022. Possession of these guns would become illegal in the state on March 1, 2023. If caught with a ghost gun, you could get up to two years in prison and $10,000 fine.

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh released a statement following the ban becoming law:

Ghost guns have become a rapidly growing threat to public safety. Easy to assemble kits are available over the Internet. Violent felons, children, and abusers are obtaining these lethal guns in ever larger numbers. Not only are these weapons dangerous, these unserialized, untraceable firearms hinder law enforcement’s efforts to solve gun crimes. Our law banning ghost guns in Maryland will save lives.
“Ridding our streets, our communities, and our schools of illegal, deadly guns has been a priority for our office for many years. We have successfully fought back multiple challenges to Maryland’s Gun Safety Act. We have charged and put in prison violent criminals, and we have seized numerous illegal firearms. And today, our state has taken another step to make our communities safer.
“We appreciate the work of Senator Lee, Delegate Lopez and legislative leadership in this important achievement.”


source: https://wjla.com/news/local/maryland-ghost-gun-ban-to-become-law-hogan-wont-sign

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