2 More Republican Governors Take Action: Kansas and Maryland Become The Latest States To Strengthen Gun Laws After Parkland

In the past week, Maryland and Kansas have strengthened their gun laws, joining Florida and Vermont on the list of states that have taken action to reduce gun violence since the Parkland tragedy.

In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed three gun safety bills Tuesday:

• HB 1646 closes a dangerous loophole that makes it easy for convicted domestic abusers to access guns by requiring the surrender of firearms by all prohibited abusers.
• HB 1302 creates a Red Flag law that empowers family and law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if they pose a risk to themselves or others.
• HB 888 makes Maryland the sixth state to make bump stocks illegal after the Las Vegas shooting.

Last Friday, Gov. Jeff Colyer of Kansas signed legislation that will prohibit gun possession by convicted domestic abusers, including abusive dating partners, and by domestic abusers who are subject to active protection orders. The Kansas House and Kansas Senate both passed versions of this legislation with unanimous votes this session.

In the weeks after the Parkland shooting, Vermont and Florida each enacted landmark legislative packages strengthening gun laws as well. The bills enacted in all four states received bipartisan support and were signed by Republican governors.

With most state legislatures still open, and with many considering their own gun violence prevention measures, the list of states strengthening their gun safety laws after Parkland could grow longer still in the weeks ahead. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with additional questions about the bills enacted in Maryland, Kansas, Vermont and Florida, or to hear more about bills pending in other states.

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