GIFFORDS Applauds Gun Safety Action in Maryland
Washington DC — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, applauded Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland legislature for their action on gun safety this legislative session.
Today, Governor Moore signed a bill (HB0947/SB0488) that weakens the gun industry’s immunity against legal action and requires the industry to establish and implement marketing standards—making Maryland the ninth state in the country to pass an industry accountability law. The governor also signed two more bills aimed at reducing daily community gun violence and helping survivors.
Agustin Cabrera, State Legislative Manager;
“Today, Maryland takes significant steps toward a safer future free of gun violence. Governor Wes Moore and the leaders in the legislature have taken bold, important action to hold the gun industry accountable for its abuses and its role in our nation’s gun violence crisis. They are also signing bills into law that support survivors and treat gun violence as the public health epidemic that it is. GIFFORDS is proud to stand with Maryland leaders and continue to support their work on these lifesaving measures.”
In addition to the gun industry immunity bill, the Maryland legislature also passed a bill (HB0575/SB0471) that expands access to compensation for victims and survivors in the immediate aftermath of gun violence, such as funeral or emergency relocation expenses. The third gun safety bill (SB0475/HB0583) establishes the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention to address gun violence with a data-driven, public health approach. Modeled after the White House’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the center will increase collaboration between other state agencies, public hospitals, and community-based violence intervention programs.
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