O'Malley Makes Gun Control His Top Priority
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The battle over gun control looms in Annapolis. Governor Martin O'Malley unveils his gun control legislation, and critics are already challenging the scope of it.
Political reporter Pat Warren explains what it does.
Shots fired in a YouTube video illustrate what the governor's gun policy legislation proposes to restrict--a ban on all assault weapons, a magazine capacity limited to 10 rounds and licensing with restrictions on possession of guns and ammunition.
In a YouTube video, the shooter fires 30 rounds without reloading. The Sandy Hook shooter was armed with one of these 30 round magazines.
"There is no way to completely eliminate the threat and the risk of another tragedy like Newtown, but there might be actions we take that can prevent that from happening," Governor O'Malley said.
In addition to banning assault weapons, the administration wants to require licenses to own a handgun.
"I would say that there's overwhelming public support for requiring citizens to obtain a license to own in order to operate a firearm," he said.
That licensing requirement is drawing fire.
"Licensing begins to trample on Second Amendment rights," said Mike Miller.
"Are we going to be any safer from this proposal? I think if you step back and take a look at it, the answer is no," said Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin.
Additional bills are on the way.
Both sides of the gun control issue are lobbying lawmakers in Annapolis.
