ANNAPOLIS, MD – Common sense measures proposed by Republicans to make the theft of a firearm a felony in Maryland had hearings in the House and Senate this week. House Bill 304 and Senate Bill 39 – Gun Theft Felony Act were heard in the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
Under current law, the theft of a firearm falls under the general theft statute in which penalties are imposed based on the value of the item stolen, not the nature of the item itself. Theft of items valued at less than $1,500 is a misdemeanor. According to a 2023 report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, nationwide, more than 1.07 million firearms were reported stolen between 2017 and 2021, 96% being stolen from private individuals.
“In public safety debates in Annapolis we hear over and over again the term ‘gun violence.’ The majority of these crimes are committed with illegally obtained guns. Making the theft of a gun a felon