**FILE** A sign depicting an assault rifle is held up at a ... more >ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Senate has passed a comprehensive gun-control measure.
The Senate voted 28-19 Thursday in favor of the bill, which 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.
The House of Delegates will work on the bill next.
The measure, which has been proposed by DemocraticGov. Martin O'Malley, also has elements to address concerns about firearms access for people with mental illnesses. It prohibits anyone who has been involuntarily committed due to mental illness from possessing a firearm.
The bill also bans assault weapons, as a federal assault weapon ban did before expiring in 2004.
By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
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