This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Maryland chapter.
With an ever increasing rash of gun incidents on the University of Maryland campus and surrounding area, including the national news event, regarding the suicide/murder for two UMD students in February, it is not surprising that the debate over gun control has taken top priority on campus and in congress. Opponents on both sides have strong feelings and one has to wonder if there needs to be, or will ever be, active gun control.
On Feb. 28, 2013, the Maryland Senate passed a gun control bill, supported by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), which gave the state some of the country’s most strict gun regulations. While Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the nation with over 1,200,000 firearms registered under previous law, the bill could make Maryland’s gun laws stricter than anywhere in the nation. The bill will require “a license to buy a handgun, limit magazines to 10 bullets and ban the sale of assault-style weapons. Police would be allowed to audit gun dealers and limit gun ownership for people with mental illnesses. The bill would also provide increase information sent to databases used for background checks,” explained the Baltimore Sun. The bill now moves to the House where it is believed to have a much easier chance of passage.
However, there are a large number of Second Amendment supporters who believe that this bill, if passed, will interfere with their rights. On Tuesday March 5, 2013 a large number of gun-rights activists gathered in Annapolis to call attention to what they consider, overreaching of Gov. O’Malley. They believe that forcing law abiding citizens to be fingerprinted is overly intrusive and that the new ban will stop law-abiding residents from purchasing guns to protect them, while doing nothing to stop the common criminal from purchasing more guns.
The Maryland Liberty Political Action Committee is a group whose mission is to “protect and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government and free markets, by means of political activity.”(marylandliberty.org) Patrick L. McGrady, chairman of Maryland PAC has started a grassroots effort to debunk the bill of Governor O’Malley by creating large rallies and petitions asking for swift action against elected officials in Maryland who are gun-grabbing politicians.
On the other hand UMD’s, College Park president Wallace Loh has endorsed state legislative efforts to control guns. After the recent shooting on campus Loh made a statement in the campus newspaper, The Diamondback, endorsing Gov. O’Malley’s gun control legislative package. “I respect the constitutional right of gun ownership,” Loh said. “Strengthening regulations will save lives and we need not strangle this right. As part of our university’s comprehensive approach to safety, I urge the General Assembly to enact the governor’s gun safety legislation.”
While President Loh seems to be pro new restrictions, do students feel the same? Johnny Berger, a freshman at the University of Maryland said, “Gov O’Malley is taking a very strong stance on gun control and I think it is great. It ensures our safety and makes me feel better about people who carry guns. With the recent worldly and local events that have taken place, including the Newtown shooting, and the off campus shooting last month, it makes me feel as though there is no real way of knowing if one is responsible and capable of owning a gun.” Regarding the new law that may be installed in Maryland, Johnny explains, “With this new bill, it is more of a deterrence for gun owners to not commit a crime.”
Alexander Ferstenberg, a sophomore at the University of Maryland said, “It’s clear after all the recent shootings and infamous events, that something has to be done; it’s only a matter of how much.” Explaining that Gov. O’Malley may have a strong approach on the matter, it is better than leaving a margin for error. “My personal belief is that the second amendment defends the right to own a gun, but just because we CAN doesn’t mean we SHOULD.” Said Alexander Ferstenberg.
