Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 741: Firearms Dealers and Employees - Required Training and Exam

HB 741 requires all Maryland firearms dealers and their employees to complete annual training and pass a written exam on firearm laws, safety, theft prevention, and recognizing illegal activities like straw purchases. Starting January 1, 2027, new applicants must complete the training before applying, current dealers must renew annually, and new hires must complete it within 20 days of starting work. The Secretary of State Police must approve a training course by October 1, 2026, and administer the exam, with a passing score of 70%. Dealers must maintain records of all passed exams, and violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequiring training on recognizing illegal activities (e.g., straw purchases) strengthens firearm regulation and prevents crime, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1309: Commission to Review and Assess Racial Disparities in the State Criminal Justice System - Establishment

HB 1309 establishes a Commission to study racial disparities in Maryland’s criminal justice system, directly affecting African American, Hispanic, and other non-White individuals who experience disproportionate treatment. The Commission, composed of legislative leaders, public defenders, prosecutors, court officials, and community advocates, will examine disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, and data collection. It will specifically assess cumulative impacts of disparate practices, mandatory minimums (including firearm offenses), and propose reforms like race-neutral risk assessments and expanded judicial discretion. The Commission must make recommendations by 2028, focusing on systemic changes to improve transparency and reduce racial inequities without implementing new laws itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes commission to study racial disparities in policing, arrests, sentencing, directly addressing inequities per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2026

HB 1541: Workgroup to Study Extreme Risk Protective Orders (Sagar Ghimire Act)

HB 1541 establishes a 6-member workgroup to study Maryland's use of extreme risk protective orders (ERPOs), which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The workgroup includes the Secretary of Health (as chair), Attorney General, Public Defender, police and sheriffs' association leaders, and a mental health services representative. It will study current ERPO practices and develop policy recommendations by May 1, 2027, reporting to the Governor and legislature. The workgroup will expire automatically on June 30, 2028, with no further legislative action required. This bill does not change ERPO laws but creates a process to evaluate and improve them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates workgroup to study and improve ERPOs, a criminal justice reform tool preventing gun violence through court-ordered firearm removals, aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 692: Firearms Dealers and Employees - Required Training and Exam

SB 692 requires all licensed firearms dealers, their applicants, and employees to complete mandatory training and pass a written exam by January 1, 2027. The training covers state/federal firearm laws, preventing theft, safe storage, recognizing straw purchases, trafficking, and other illegal activities. Dealers must maintain proof of completion for all employees at their business location, and failure to comply carries a $1,000 civil penalty. The Secretary of State Police must approve at least one online training course and administer the exam by October 1, 2026, with a 70% passing requirement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training for firearms dealers to prevent illegal activities like trafficking and straw purchases, aligning with criminal justice prevention efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 1061: Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Prior Convictions

HB 1061 expands Maryland's enhanced sentencing for illegally carrying or transporting a handgun by including prior convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts. It affects individuals who have previously been convicted of gun-related offenses outside Maryland. The bill amends sentencing tiers so that these out-of-state or federal convictions now count toward mandatory minimum sentences under Section 4-203 of the Criminal Law. This means people with prior gun convictions in other jurisdictions face harsher penalties for violating Maryland's handgun laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory minimum sentences by including out-of-state gun convictions, increasing criminalization and sentencing severity per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 620: Criminal Law - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Prior Convictions

SB 620 modifies Maryland's sentencing for handgun violations by expanding the list of prior convictions that trigger enhanced penalties. It adds certain convictions from other states, federal courts, or tribal courts to the list that count toward stricter sentencing under Section 4-203(c) of the Criminal Law. Specifically, if a person has prior convictions (including out-of-state or federal offenses that would violate Maryland's handgun laws), they face longer mandatory minimum sentences for subsequent violations. This directly affects individuals with prior criminal records who are convicted of carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun in Maryland.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands prior conviction list for enhanced handgun sentencing, increasing mandatory minimums under Section 4-203(c).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 863: Gun Theft Felony Act of 2026

HB 863 reclassifies the theft of a firearm as a felony under Maryland law, previously treated as a lower-level offense. It establishes felony penalties based on the firearm's value: up to 5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine for theft valued at $1,500-$25,000, up to 10 years for $25,000-$100,000, and up to 20 years for $100,000 or more. Convicted individuals must also return the firearm or pay its value to the owner. The bill directly affects anyone who steals a firearm or knowingly possesses stolen firearms, raising penalties for these offenses under Section 7-104 of Maryland’s Criminal Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies firearm theft as felony with mandatory prison terms, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1417: Public Safety - Handgun Permit Requirement - Repeal (Maryland Constitutional Carry Act)

HB 1417, the Maryland Constitutional Carry Act, repeals Maryland’s requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public. It removes the need for a permit (previously required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article) and eliminates age restrictions for carrying (previously prohibiting those under 21 from carrying handguns). The bill allows most adults to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, though it maintains existing restrictions on carrying on school property, with intent to harm, or with a loaded firearm. Key provisions are updated in the Criminal Law Article (Sections 4-101(b) and 4-203), adding a new allowance for carrying "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" while preserving other prohibitions. This directly affects all Maryland residents who are not prohibited from owning firearms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals permit requirement for handguns, weakening regulatory oversight in public safety - a core criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1123: Criminal Law - Minor's Access to Firearms - Penalty

HB 1123 amends Maryland's criminal code to impose misdemeanor penalties for adults who store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where they knew or should have known an unsupervised minor could access it. The law directly affects adult firearm owners responsible for storage safety, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. Key exemptions include supervised access by an adult, unlawful entry, law enforcement use during duty, or minors with valid hunter safety certificates. The bill explicitly states violations cannot be used as evidence of negligence in civil cases involving firearm-related injuries or property damage. This bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill imposes penalties to prevent minors' firearm access, promoting public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing responsible storage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 197: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act

HB 197 creates a new excise tax on firearms, accessories, and ammunition sales by dealers in Maryland. The tax applies to all retail sales within the state, with revenue distributed to five specific community safety programs: 26% to violence prevention, 26% to trauma care, 20% to community support, 20% to survivor services, and 8% to the University of Maryland Medical System. The bill directs funds to supplement existing programs rather than replace them. This tax targets firearms dealers as the direct taxpayers, with revenue funding state-level safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new excise tax on firearms dealers to fund community safety programs, supplementing existing services without replacement.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds violence prevention & trauma care programs, key criminal justice reform initiatives targeting root causes of violence.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 26% to trauma care and 8% to University of Maryland Medical System, directly funding healthcare services without replacement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Firearms

Track