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 House of Delegates advanced HB 425, 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 over 400 emails and made more than 200 calls in support of this legislation.
“Ghost guns are the fastest growing gun safety problem in Maryland,” said Melissa Ladd, a volunteer with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’re grateful to our lawmakers for answering the call and taking action on ghost guns after a horrific school shooting with a ghost gun right here in our backyard. We urge the Senate to swiftly advance this legislation, so that communities across Maryland are protected from this ever-worsening gun violence crisis.”
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.
