The Baltimore County Council passed County Executive John Olszewski Jr.’s controversial gun bill on Tuesday by a 6 to 1 margin. The bill is called the SAFE Act (Secure All Firearms Effectively). it requires gun shop owners to provide better security at their locations and for gun shows in Baltimore County to obtain a license to sell a firearm.
Olszewski released a statement after the bill passed.
“[A] bipartisan group of Councilmembers voted for safer communities across Baltimore County—and throughout our region,” Olszewski said. I applaud the members of the Council who joined us to support this commonsense public safety solution that will keep stolen guns off our streets and out of the hands of violent criminals.”
Republican Councilmembers Wade Kach and David Marks offered amendments to the bill that eliminated fees for gun shops, and provide financial assistance to help with security improvements. Those amendments passed 6 to 1. Marks said he believes the bill was going to pass and that is why he submitted the amendments to protect gun show owners.
“Republican Councilman Wade Kach and I joined with our colleagues to pass numerous amendments to make the County Executive’s gun security bill better for businesses. This was one. Make no mistake – the original bill would have been used at some point to regulate and tax gun retailers to extinction. It allowed for big fees and liens against properties, provided no financial help to businesses, and had few limitations on the power of those regulating gun retailers,” Marks explained. “Symbolic ‘no’ votes might gain a high-five from some, but are of no help in the long term when government regulations might force businesses into extinction”
Councilman Todd Crandell voted down the bill and along with the amendments. He explained his decision was ‘not symbolic’ on social media today. Crandell added that he voted with his conscience and what was best for his constituents.
“I was the only member to vote ‘No’. Contrary to what was posted by a Council colleague, my vote was not ‘symbolic.'” Crandell said. “I voted ‘no’ because this is a bad bill. It gives unchecked authority to the Chief of Police and the Chief Administrative Officer to control the industry and, under less reasonable leadership, potentially even shut it down.”
