A gun control measure backed by the governor made it
through the state Senate, and supporters say it will make Maryland's
already strong weapons laws some of the toughest in the nation.
Opponents decried the bill as an erosion of Second Amendment rights.
The measure, which passed 28 to 19,
has a licensing requirement for handgun buyers to submit fingerprints to
state police. The provision is intended to reduce the number of guns
purchased by a friend or family member of someone who is not allowed to
own a gun. All of the supporters were Democrats. Seven Democrats and all
12 Senate Republicans voted against the measure.