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In the wake of Friday’s horrific elementary school shooting in Connecticut, Gov. Martin O’Malley told reporters today that he is likely to introduce legislation that could include an assault rifle ban and other gun control measures.
O’Malley also said proposals could include mental health and school safety legislation.
“I think there’s been a change of heart and a greater open-mindedness in the wake of the murder of the innocent in Connecticut for people to take a look at especially assault weapons,” said O’Malley, quoted by the Washington Post this afternoon. “You look at some of these guns, and it’s just hard to conclude that these guns should be in the hands of anyone who isn’t a soldier on a battlefield or a law-enforcement officer sent into a tactical situation.”
O’Malley said he “absolutely” would sign a ban on assault rifles like the one used in Connecticut. He also said state officials should consider limiting “huge magazine clips,” according to the Post.
Conversely, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnel said on Washington’s WTOP radio today that “it’s time to have a discussion” about arming school officials.
Monday, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson called for state and federal action on gun control and public safety measures.
An open letter from Kamenetz to Maryland’s federal and state elected officials can be found here.
A transcript of Johnson's remarks on gun violence — he chairs the National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence — can be found here.
