Senators Vote to Retain Gun Licensing Provision

by Karen Hosler

During eight hours of debate so far, the State Senate has backed the most controversial provisions of Governor Martin O’Malley’s gun control package. 

Republican and rural lawmakers took sharp aim at the requirement that handgun buyers in Maryland must be licensed, fingerprinted and trained.  But they missed their mark. Senator Brian Frosh, floor leader on the bill, said the 20 to 27 vote in favor of retaining the licensing provision was encouraging. "I think it was a strong statement that the body wants a real gun violence prevention measure," he said. "I think the licensing provisions are the most important. There are many other important provisions but they are the most important.” 

Howard County Republican Allan Kittleman argued that licensing shouldn’t be required to exercise a right. He said, "I think this is a freedom issue. I think this is an issue involving the constitutional right to own a firearm.”

As a gesture toward greater equality of gun ownership, though, the senators agreed to cut the licensing fee to $25 from $50.