Maryland Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Pre-File of Background Check Legislation

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, applauds the pre-filing of legislation to require background checks on all sales of rifles and shotguns in the state. Last session, volunteers with Maryland Moms Demand Action spent countless hours urging lawmakers to pass similar legislation.

“Closing Maryland’s long gun loophole by requiring background checks on rifles and shotguns, will help keep children, families and all of Maryland’s citizens safe,” said Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary. “We should not have to wait for another tragic incident involving a long gun to happen before passage of this sensible legislation. Requiring background checks on all firearms purchases is a common-sense approach to help address the everyday gun violence occurring in today’s society, not by handguns alone, but by long guns as well. I refuse to let this be our children’s new normal.”

“We’re thrilled to begin the process of closing this deadly loophole,” said Danielle Veith, a volunteer with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “We stand with Delegate Atterbeary, and we’re thankful for her commitment to keeping our communities safe. We desperately need a background check on every gun sale — lives depend on it.”

Under current Maryland law, sales of rifles and shotguns by unlicensed sellers do not require a background check. That makes it easy for convicted felons, domestic abusers and other people who are legally prohibited from having guns to purchase these deadly weapons by finding unlicensed sellers online or at gun shows. Maryland law already requires background checks on all handgun sales.