ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Today, Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready responded to reports that charges had been brought against four individuals who stole 81 firearms that were then passed on to other bad actors prohibited from possessing them. Of the 81, only six have been recovered.
“As the adage goes, we hate to say it, but we told you so. While yesterday’s announcement of the arrests by the Attorney General is good news for public safety, it could have been even better if the General Assembly had passed legislation to make the theft of a firearm a felony. Then, prosecutors would be able to seek stronger penalties to keep these criminals from returning to our streets and communities,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey.
Since 2018, Senate Republicans have championed legislation to make the theft of a firearm a felony, not a misdemeanor governed by the standard theft statute where penalties are dictated by the monetary value of the stolen item. Despite strong public support, year after year after year, the General Assembly has refused to pass this commonsense legislation that would bring strong consequences for those who contribute to the proliferation of illegal firearms in our communities.
“As communities across the nation and in Maryland continue to combat violent crime, it is incredibly frustrating that these individuals will not receive the strongest possible penalties. Maryland Democrats claim that they want illegal firearms off our street, but they outright refuse to hold those who steal firearms fully accountable. Bad actors have no fear of consequences because there are none,” said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready.
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