* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Scott
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Strengthening Penalties for Straw Purchases and Trafficking Hand Guns in Maryland
For the purpose of calling on the Maryland General Assembly to enact, and the Governor to sign, legislation that strengthens the penalties for straw purchases and gun trafficking in Maryland, from a misdemeanor to a felony with increased fines.
body
Recitals
From January 1, 2018, to December 2, 2018, 286 homicides were committed in the City of Baltimore. Of the 286 homicides, 250 were the result of gun violence. Baltimore Police Department officials believe that the overwhelming majority of these homicides were carried out with illegal firearms. Baltimore City has recently joined a growing list of cities that partner with local police agencies and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in operating a Crime Gun Intelligence Center that traces every gun recovered to its origin. From January 2017 to July 2018, the Baltimore Police Department recovered and traced 1,776 guns. 813 of those guns had an origin in Maryland, while 953 came from outside the state. While Maryland has done extensive legislative work to prevent guns from ending up in the hands of violent repeat offenders and others who should not have them, it has not done nearly enough to deal with those who illegally purchase and traffic guns into the state. Increasing the penalties for straw purchases and gun trafficking would allow police departments and other local law enforcement agencies to build strong cases and cut off the flow of illegal guns into our state and city.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council calls on the Maryland General Assembly to enact, and the Governor to sign, legislation that strengthens the penalties for straw purchases and gun trafficking in Maryland, from a misdemeanor to a felony with increased fines.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Governor of Maryland, the Mayor of Baltimore City, and the Mayor’s Legislation Liaison to the City Council.