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Thousands go to Annapolis for gun-control rally and hearing
Several thousand Marylanders went to Annapolis to voice their opinions on gun control Wednesday as the General Assembly began considering Gov. Martin O'Malley's sweeping proposal to impose new limits on the purchase of firearms.
At a hearing before a Senate committee, O'Malley urged state legislators to approve what he called a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. He called for a ban on the sale of "military-style" assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and said the state should require licensing and training for handgun buyers.
The governor's testimony before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee came after at least 1,500 gun-rights advocates rallied outside the State House in opposition to the legislation. They held signs that read "This is Not Nazi Germany" and "Gun Control: Want Mine? Better Brings Yours!" Among them was a contingent of 50 Allegany County residents who chartered a bus and rode for 21/2 hours to join the protest.
Meanwhile, advocates on either side of the issue packed the hearing room and an overflow room downstairs. Hundreds more stood in a line that extended down a stairway to the floor below.
Legislative aides said they had never seen such an outpouring of people seeking to testify on a bill. By an overwhelming number, they were signing up in opposition to the governor's proposal.
video link: [video]http://www.wbaltv.com/news/politics/Gun-activists-rally-at-Annapolis/-/9379266/18441084/-/1077m9l/-/index.html[/video]
Several thousand Marylanders went to Annapolis to voice their opinions on gun control Wednesday as the General Assembly began considering Gov. Martin O'Malley's sweeping proposal to impose new limits on the purchase of firearms.
At a hearing before a Senate committee, O'Malley urged state legislators to approve what he called a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. He called for a ban on the sale of "military-style" assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and said the state should require licensing and training for handgun buyers.
The governor's testimony before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee came after at least 1,500 gun-rights advocates rallied outside the State House in opposition to the legislation. They held signs that read "This is Not Nazi Germany" and "Gun Control: Want Mine? Better Brings Yours!" Among them was a contingent of 50 Allegany County residents who chartered a bus and rode for 21/2 hours to join the protest.
Meanwhile, advocates on either side of the issue packed the hearing room and an overflow room downstairs. Hundreds more stood in a line that extended down a stairway to the floor below.
Legislative aides said they had never seen such an outpouring of people seeking to testify on a bill. By an overwhelming number, they were signing up in opposition to the governor's proposal.
video link: [video]http://www.wbaltv.com/news/politics/Gun-activists-rally-at-Annapolis/-/9379266/18441084/-/1077m9l/-/index.html[/video]
