It’s Back: The Maryland Assault Weapons Ban

They tried in Washington State, and met stiff opposition. Now it looks like they aim to try again in Maryland. This is nothing new: they’ve tried to pass an AWB in Old Line State for years, and we’ve managed to bottle it up every time. But we have to fight nonetheless. The other side is desperate for a victory.

You can find more discussion here, but this would actually be the most draconian bans out of any of the states, as it would ban just about all semi-automatic rifles currently on the market, and many competition semi-auto pistols that had their magazine attached somewhere outside the grip. It would ban the Ruger Charger through an over-broad and vague definition of “barrel shroud” (that shoulder thing that goes up, apparently the MD Senate doesn’t know what it is either). It bans any semi-automatic, centerfire rifle with a thumbhole stock.

The bill grandfathers existing firearms, but requires you to register them. In addition, transportation into the state will be unlawful, for those of you who need to travel through or to Maryland to take part in shooting competitions.

8 thoughts on “It’s Back: The Maryland Assault Weapons Ban”

  1. “In addition, transportation into the state will be unlawful, for those of you who need to travel through or to Maryland to take part in shooting competitions.”

    I can understand how MD could make travel INTO the state with firearms illegal, but THROUGH the state? Wouldn’t that be a violation of federal peaceable journey laws that allow one to carry though a state with prohibitions so long as they make no stops?

    It’s a bad law either way, but if they’re going to try and ban firearms, they should make sure they’re not breaking any existing laws while doing it. Of course, a favorable outcome in McDonald would render these laws null and void, although I’m sure antis like would like to have them on the books so it forces citizens to challenge them.

  2. There are a few states that pretend that doesn’t exist. It’ll get you out of trouble eventually, but it won’t necessarily avoid you spending a night in jail.

  3. That “Barrel Shroud” nonsense will actually ban ANY center-fire semi-auto rifle that takes a detachable magazine, as any forearm would apparently meet their definition of a “Barrel Shroud”.

  4. Travel through the state shouldn’t be effected, federal peremption and all, but that won’t necessarily mean anything if you get pulled over in Md. This state kind of sucks when it comes to guns.

  5. Damnit – that should be ‘affect.’

    although it would be pretty awesome if an idiot law could effect travel through the state – never have to stop in Md again.

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