Ghost guns (untraceable firearms, usually assembled by someone using unassembled or homemade parts) are already illegal in Maryland. A new law in Prince George's County aims to further crack down.
Ghost guns (untraceable firearms, usually assembled by someone using unassembled or homemade parts) are already illegal in Maryland.
Nevertheless, they have been used in several high-profile crimes in Prince George's County in recent years, including several crimes involving juveniles.
Now Prince George's County Council wants to give prosecutors a new tool to go after those who help children get into their hands.
A new bill written by City Council member Crystal Oriada would make it illegal to give such weapons to juveniles, including the technology and components used to make them.
“We have this technology and the law needs to catch up,” Oriada said. “We, for one, see them getting guns that are already manufactured. But we also see people sharing data and technology. So I We just want to make sure our laws are up to date with what's going on in our communities.”
She hopes state legislators in Annapolis will replicate the idea across the state next year.
“They mentioned ghost guns,” Oriada said. “But what we weren't looking at, and what we wanted to go into, is the emphasis on data sharing, and that if you share the technology of any part or aspect of a weapon, it's a violation.” It is to make it clear that the law will become. “
O'Riada said this is not yet a violation of state law, so county law only makes it a misdemeanor. If passed, it would be punishable by up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine, the maximum currently allowed.
“We know this bill alone won't stop gun violence, right? I don't think it will,” she said. “But what we have to say is that we will make sure that police and prosecutors have every tool and resource to hold people accountable when they put weapons into the hands of young people.”
O'Riada said data is everything and whether the county is equipped to respond to emerging trends.
“Because what we don't want to see is a lot of adults and young people sharing that data, but when it comes to how state attorneys and police can hold them accountable. , because they don't have the tools or the resources,” she said.
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