more news for MD:
Smart Gun Task Force Recommendations
On December 1, 1999, the Governor's Task Force on Childproof Guns
published its report and recommendations for consideration by the
Governor. The recommendations are as follows:
* Require that a person may not sell or offer for sale in this State a
handgun manufactured after January 1, 2003 unless it is manufactured
with incorporated design technology allowing the handgun to be fired
only by authorized users.
* In the interim, require that by January 1, 2002 any new handguns sold
in Maryland be equipped with an integrated mechanical safety device to
prevent children and other unauthorized users from firing the handgun.
* Call for a legislative resolution seeking continued federal funding
for development of user restricted gun technology and consider tax
credits or grants on the State and federal level for anyone conducting
personalized gun research and development.
* Give tax credits starting in tax year 2000 to encourage the purchase
of gun safes/vaults and locking devices for all firearms.
* Amend the Application to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (form 77R) to
provide the purchaser the following warning: "Children can operate
firearms which can cause severe injury or death. By law, you must
prevent access by minors to loaded firearms. If a minor obtains and
improperly uses your firearm, you may be fined up to $1,000."
* Enhance existing gun laws to protect children
Note: No vote was taken on this item, the Task Force decided to allow
the Governor's legislative staff to make the decisions on any
enhancement of the current gun laws.
* Provide continued vigorous law enforcement and support for programs
such as the Federal DISARM Program, the Maryland State Police Firearms
Investigation Unit and Baltimore City's Firearms Investigation and
Violence Enforcement Unit.
* Prohibit any person who as a juvenile has been found to have committed
a violent delinquent act from possessing firearms until age 30, but in
no event may such a person possess a handgun within 10 years of any
adult misdemeanor or felony conviction obtained before age 30.
* Require that all guns confiscated by law enforcement agencies in the
State be destroyed and prohibit the sale, barter or exchange of (police)
duty weapons.
* Require ballistic fingerprinting of all new handguns prior to sale.
* Require the Police Training Commission in conjunction with the
Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Police Force and
private sector organizations to develop standards for safe gun use, and
require by January 1, 2002 all gun purchasers to submit evidence of
certified firearms safety training.
* Recommend a firearm surveillance system that tracks the medical
consequences and health care costs of firearm injury.
--
John H. Josselyn, Legislative Vice President
Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, Inc.
P. O. Box 20102
Towson, Maryland 21284-0102
[This message has been edited by dZ (edited December 08, 1999).]