Sen. Pinsky says SB211 is what the public wants -- a more secure gun lock

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: Md. Senate Endorses Built-In Gun Locks : Groundbreaking Bill Advances to House : Daniel LeDuc, 03/28/2000, The Washington Post, Page B01 : Senators from Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Baltimore helped push through a vote yesterday that would make Maryland the first state in the nation to require that all handguns be sold with built-in locks. : In a decision that reflected urban and rural sensibilities as much as political philosophies, the Senate voted 26 to 21 to require the built-in locks by 2003 and to mandate that all new handguns be sold with trigger locks beginning Oct. 1. : The legislation also would impose stiffer sentences for gun crimes and require that a shell casing "fingerprint" for each handgun sold in Maryland be filed with authorities to help identify the firearm if it was used in a crime. Everyone buying a handgun would have to complete a two-hour training course. : The House still must consider the proposal, which has been the cornerstone of Gov. Parris N. Glendening's agenda in this year's General Assembly session. But while Glendening (D)declared the vote a major accomplishment, the measure falls short of the mandate the governor had sought for personalized smart guns that could be fired only by their owners. : "This is a major step for Glendening. But it's also what the public wants," said Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's). "It's a more secure lock." : Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery) said: "There's an epidemic of gun violence in this country. Handguns and handgun use are out of control. This will make some small impact on that." : Gun control opponents had been resigned to defeat since late last week, when the Senate leadership worked out a deal with the governor to save the legislation. The Judicial Proceedings Committee had bottled up the proposal and was set to kill it. : But after reaching an agreement with Glendening to erase the personalized gun requirements, Senate leaders used a rarely employed parliamentary maneuver to bypass the committee and allow the full Senate to decide the matter. : The National Rifle Association had its members lobby lawmakers over the weekend, but by then most minds had been made up. : Sen. Thomas McLain Middleton (D-Charles) said his rural upbringing was his greatest influence in voting against the proposal, noting that a new hunt club facility, Middleton Hall, in Charles is named for his father. : "I don't see the need for it based on what's happened at the federal level," he added, referring to the recent agreement between Smith & Wesson and the federal government. The firearms maker said it would install built-in locks on all of its new models within two years and would within three years begin marketing personalized guns. : "Folks in rural areas generally see guns used for legal purposes," said Walter M. Baker(D-Cecil), the Judicial Proceedings Committee chairman, who opposed the bill. "Those in urban areas generally see guns used for illegal purposes." : Sen. Timothy R. Ferguson (R-Carroll), who owns several handguns for self-protection, argued that the legislation only hurt law-abiding citizens who need handguns to protect themselves. : "This is not a perfect world. It hasn't been since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden, and it won't be until the Messiah comes back," he said. "Until the lion sleeps with the lamb . . .we have an obligation to defend our families." : At least, he said, users would be allowed to decide whether they wanted to rely on the built-in locks. "It just gives another safety switch that can be toggled on and off by its owner," Ferguson said. : Other opponents angrily opposed even that compromise. : "Ban all guns? Is that the ultimate goal?" said Sen. Alexander X. Mooney (R-Frederick). "I believe the real goal is to take away our Second Amendment rights." : Most Republicans opposed the bill, but in the end, splits fell along geographic and ideological--not partisan--lines. Republican Leader Martin G. Madden (Howard) and Montgomery GOP Sens. Jean W. Roesser and Patrick J. Hogan voted for Glendening's plan. Ten Democratic senators voted against it. : "I'm certain the majority of my constituents favor this type of legislation. It's that simple, "Roesser said. "If it saves the life of a child or individual, it may be worth it." : THE VOTE : The Maryland Senate voted 26 to 21 yesterday to adopt a measure requiring locking devices on all guns sold in Maryland beginning in 2003. A yes vote was to approve the measure, and a no vote was to reject it. : Republicans Voting Yes: : Hogan, Montgomery; Madden, Howard; Roesser, Montgomery. : Democrats Voting Yes: : Blount, Baltimore; Conway, Baltimore; Currie, Prince George's; Della, Baltimore; Dorman, Prince George's; Exum, Prince George's; Forehand, Montgomery; Frosh, Montgomery; Green, Prince George's; Hoffman, Baltimore; Hollinger, Baltimore County; Hughes, Baltimore; Kasemeyer, Howard; Kelley, Baltimore; Lawlah, Prince George's; McFadden, Baltimore; Miller, Prince George's; Mitchell, Baltimore; Pinsky, Prince George's; Ruben, Montgomery; Sfikas, Baltimore; Teitelbaum, Montgomery; Van Hollen, Montgomery. : Republicans Voting No: : Colburn, Dorchester; Ferguson, Carroll; Hafer, Allegany; Haines, Carroll; Harris, Baltimore County; Hooper, Harford; Jacobs, Harford; McCabe, Howard; Mooney, Frederick; Munson, Washington; Stoltzfus, Somerset. : Democrats Voting No: : Astle, Anne Arundel; Baker, Cecil; Bromwell, Baltimore County; Collins, Baltimore County; DeGrange, Anne Arundel; Dyson, St. Mary's; Jimeno, Anne Arundel; Middleton, Charles; Neall, Anne Arundel; Stone, Baltimore County.

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