President John Adams (a Unitarian) said, “Government is instituted for the common good: for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people…” Maryland is ranked number 8 for the strength of its gun laws for the common good. Gifford’s Law Center has given Maryland has an A- rating for its gun violence prevention laws.
Together, we have made an impact.
In 2024, UULM-MD successfully advocated for passage of three bills: Trauma-Informed Active Shooter Safety Drill HB 416/SB 432, Gun Industry Accountability SB 488 /HB 947, and Maryland Center for Firearm Violence Prevention - HB 583/SB 475. These bills provided for the protection and safety of Marylanders from gun violence. Part of our 2025 advocacy will be to ensure their implementation.
Maryland has an excellent reputation for medical care of shock trauma victims from gun violence. Last year, the General Assembly created the Maryland Center for Firearm Violence Prevention. The Center will launch new initiatives for prevention of gun violence. These initiatives were funded in part by the new Federal Center for Firearm Violence Prevention. However, the Maryland legislature is anticipating impacts from the Federal Government due the incoming administration and trying to plan accordingly.
Potential Priorities for This Year:
1. Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act - Unfortunately, this bill SB 784 /HB 935 did not pass in the 2024 legislative session. This bill would direct some funds from the purchase of guns or ammunition to fund assistance to communities impacted by gun violence. We anticipate that the sponsors will simplify some of the requirements, and reintroduce this bill in 2025.
2. Firearm Safety in Domestic Violence Situations: Guns are a contentious issue in cases of Domestic Violence. The requirements for a domestic abuser to relinquish a firearm are not clear. Who requests that the firearm be relinquished? Who enforces the requirement to relinquish the firearm?
The barriers to safety and justice faced by survivors of domestic violence are multifaceted and deeply entrenched. From systemic discrimination and victim-blaming to the lack of effective enforcement of firearm relinquishment laws, these challenges leave survivors, particularly women of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals, at heightened risk. For More Information, Read the Safe Haven Policy Paper
3. Prohibit 3-D Printed "Switches": There are various aspects in our laws that continue to need additional attention. While we have prohibited "Automatic Weapons" and "Bump Stocks" (which convert a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon), technology is always adapting. 3-D printers can make “switches”—a plastic part that can convert a standard firearm into a rapid fire weapon.
4. Monitor and Support Existing Laws: Ensuring that our laws keep up with technology is one of the enforcement issues that the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention (which was created last year) would address; with the incoming federal administration, we need to ensure that the center is supported.
Currently, The Maryland Handgun Roster Board reviews which firearms should be prohibited. Unfortunately, prohibited guns might remain on the street after a law changes. Maryland has among the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, accounting for two-thirds of all gun crimes in the state, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Traffickers bring these guns in from other states along Route I-95 – a major north-south corridor through the East Coast states known as the “Iron Pipeline.” Read Full Article
UULM-MD works closely with partner organizations who provide additional opportunities to advocate for public safety and gun violence prevention.
1. Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence is holding their on-line lobbying event on January 11th, from 1:00-2:00 PM, and February 27th from 3:00-4:00 PM.
2. Maryland Moms Demand Action is holding its annual advocacy day on January 30th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Annapolis. Please click here to register.
We will publicize these—and other events—so you can participate as you are able.
In 2024, UULM-MD held a youth conference on lockdown drills and prepared a curriculum which can be accessed here: https://www.uulmmd.org/uu-youth-for-gun-safe-schools. The curriculum addresses responsible firearm ownership and secure gun storage, advocating for legislation, and resources available for people facing traumatic situations. People can register and access the curriculum for free. UULM-MD presented this curriculum to the UUA General Assembly, the Central East Region Summer Institute, and shared it with UU Advocacy Groups around the country. Because of your generosity, along with a grant from the Fund for UU Social Responsibility, advocates in other states were able to use these resources and were grateful.
Ron Verdonk, from Davies UU, has mentioned that there will be premier of a movie - My Dead Friend Zoe, coming out February 28. The movie has to do with death by suicide and is sponsored by Everytown to Prevent Gun Violence.
As citizens, we need to be more informed and prepared to address public safety and gun violence prevention. UULM-MD is primarily focused on legislation, but there are opportunities for us to broaden our knowledge about the issue. We can hold watch parties for movies, or outreach to local programs for prevention or intervention, or learn from the testimony of gun-violence survivors. With such knowledge, we can be more effective in advocating for public safety of ALL Marylanders.
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