Letter Sent Early April by Senator Tim Ferguson reporting on his action on SB 211

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: Here's an update on the Governor's "Smart Gun" legislation. There's good news and bad news. : : : When the Governor pulled his legislation from the Judicial Proceedings Committee (my committee) and stripped "Smart Gun" technology from the bill on the floor of the Senate, we lost 5 Democrats and 2 Republicans for a filibuster. : : : It takes 16 senators to sustain a filibuster. There are only 14 Republican senators. We lost our filibuster once "Smart Guns" was defeated. : : : That's the good news -- "Smart Guns" is dead. : : : The bad news is this: The bill is still a lousy bill and I spoke against it for almost an hour as I lead opposition on the Senate floor. I also voted against it. But it still passed both houses. Below is a summary of the Governor's gun-control bill. : : : Here are the highlights of the bill: : : : All handguns sold in MD as of Oct. 1, 2000 must come with external trigger locks. : : As of Jan. 1, 2003, all new handguns must have built-in mechanical safety locks. : : The integrated locks can be "toggled" off and kept off. : : Manufacturers will be required to send dealers a bullet casing from any new handgun sold in MD. The dealer must send it to the State Police for tracking gun crimes. : Handgun purchasers, as of Jan 1, 2002, will be required to complete a 2-hours gun safety course, unless previously trained, but won't have to pass any test. : : Trainers of safety courses can include the NRA and local gun clubs. : : : : Please contact my Annapolis office if you have any questions and thank you for your support while I fought for the Second Amendment this session! : : : Tim

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