Maryland Senate to Vote on Anti-Gun Industry Bill Soon

Contact Your State Senator Immediately to Oppose HB 1021

Strong handed tactics from the Maryland Speaker of the House and President of the Senate have moved an FFL mandate through the Senate without anyone being able to make their voices or concerns heard. The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee scheduled a last minute hearing this week for House Bill 1021, which cut out the voices of any opponents to the bill and then a vote. House Bill 1021, sponsored by Maryland Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones (D-10), seeks to mandate costly, burdensome, and even some unattainable requirements of FFLs, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and gunsmiths. Speaker Jones’s bill does not consider that large manufacturers, brick and mortar retail stores, and gunsmiths are vastly different in their size and operation, but will establish a “one-size-fits-all” requirement on each of these businesses.

NSSF^® continues to stand staunchly opposed to HB 1021 and we ask you to stand with us. Contact your state senator today and respectfully urge him or her to oppose HB 1021 when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote today. If you email, put “Please Oppose HB 1021” in the subject line. Not sure who represents you? Use this link and input your address and zip code. Scroll down and find your “State Senator for Maryland.”

FFLs are already some of the most heavily regulated businesses in Maryland, not only having to follow laws and regulations set by the General Assembly and the Maryland State Police, but also the federal ATF. The proposed legislation seems to be a solution in search of a problem. In reality, each firearms dealer is unique and may not be able to abide by the language set forth in HB 1021. The mandate required by HB 1021 would certainly place a costly burden on dealers throughout the state, while potentially leaving many of these small businesses with no other option than to close their business.