
School administrators around the country are keeping a closer eye on warning signs for gun violence after last year's mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., but one Maryland lawmaker says the vigilance too often is crossing into the realm of anti-gun hysteria.

A proposed statewide planning initiative that has angered officials in Maryland's rural counties finally went before a Senate committee Monday, where lawmakers showed support but also raised additional concerns.

Conservative lawmakers have won a skirmish in what they call a "War on Rural Maryland," getting state officials to delay implementing a land-development plan until a Senate committee has its say.

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. is asking the O'Malley administration to delay implementing its statewide initiative on land development until the start of the 2012 General Assembly so his chamber can review the plan.