MD: Moore signs gun bills, measures that bolster responsibilities of the Attorney General's office
Lawmakers and advocates who pushed for stronger gun control measures in the recent General Assembly session saw their work come to fruition as Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed more than a dozen public safety bills into law Tuesday.
One of the biggest measures discussed during this year’s legislative session was Senate Bill 1 – led by Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (D-Montgomery) – that will prohibit the open carry of guns in the state and restrict where firearms can be carried, including at locations such as preschools, government buildings and polling places.
The legislation does exempt the wear and carry permit law for individuals with specific jobs, such as correctional officers, employees of armored car companies and security guards.
Lawmakers debated the legislation after the U.S. Supreme Court decision last year in the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case challenging New York law. The Bruen decision allows Maryland to assess “sensitive places” where firearms can be carried.
The bill Moore signed Tuesday will go into effect Oct. 1.
A similar gun measure slated to take effect on the same day this year is House Bill 824, which establishes additional provisions on who can possess firearms – including raising the age for a legal purchase from “an adult” to 21.
https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/05/16/moore-signs-gun-bills-measures-that-bolster-responsibilities-of-the-attorney-generals-office/