The Maryland chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement after the Maryland Senate advanced SB 387, a bill that would prohibit the possession or sale of ghost guns — do-it-yourself, untraceable firearms made from easy-to-get building blocks that can be purchased with no background check. This session, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers and supporters sent hundreds of calls and emails in support of the bill. SB 387 will go back to the House for concurrence before being sent to Governor Larry Hogan’s desk.
“It’s no secret that Baltimore has a ghost gun problem,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, a co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. “Baltimore Police Department recovered 352 ghost guns from city streets in 2021 alone. We must protect our communities from these untraceable firearms that continue to kill our neighbors, children, and friends across our city. As we continue to fight this growing issue in our city, we urge our state lawmakers to follow suit. I’m grateful for our Senate leaders for pushing this legislation and look forward to seeing it become law this session.”
“Our state knows all too well the devastation that ghost guns reap,” said Melissa Ladd, a volunteer leader with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action. “These dangerous firearms continue to show up in our cities, schools, and homes, and stopping their proliferation is our top priority. We are very grateful to Senator Susan Lee for her dedication and leadership on this bill, and we urge Governor Hogan to swiftly sign this legislation when it goes to his desk.”
In January, a ghost gun was used in the shooting at Magruder High School, which left one student critically injured. This incident stands as part of a larger trend in-state and across the country of gun violence involving ghost guns.
In an average year in Maryland, 743 people die by guns and 1,747 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Maryland $5.7 billion each year, of which $375.8 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Maryland is available here.
