For Immediate Release

Marylanders support assault weapons ban

March 18th, 2003

A statewide survey of Maryland voters shows clear support for a ban on military-style assault weapons. Nearly two-thirds of Maryland voters (64%) say they favor a ban on the future sales of military-style assault weapons, while 33% oppose a future ban. The remaining 3% gave no answer.[1]

The General Assembly is considering a ban on such weapons (SB 494 and HB 844). A state ban is especially important since the federal assault weapons ban, passed in 1994, is due to expire in September 2004 unless reauthorized by Congress and the Bush Administration. The General Assembly bill would ban the sale of copycat assault weapons such as the Bushmaster used in the Washington area sniper murders last autumn. The Bushmaster is a close copy of the M-16 military assault rifle.

The survey demonstrated broad support for an assault weapons ban among the Maryland electorate with majorities in favor in every demographic sub-group in the survey, including Republicans (52%), Eastern Shoremen (58%), and Western Maryland voters (53%). Men (57%) give the proposal majority support, but women (71%) are more enthusiastic. Baltimore City voters (79%), African-Americans (77%), and Democrats (73%) are the biggest supporters of a ban on future sales of military-style assault weapons.

Leah Barrett, Executive Director of CeaseFire Maryland, commented: “The people of Maryland do not want these devastating weapons on our streets. I hope that our lawmakers in Annapolis are listening and will pass this sensible bill. When over 600 Marylanders continue to die each year from gun violence, more must be done to stem this deadly tide.”

 

[1]This survey was conducted by Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications, Inc. from March 14th – March 17th, 2003. A total of 838 registered voters in Maryland were interviewed by telephone. A cross-section of calls was made into each jurisdiction within the state to reflect general election voting patterns. The margin for error is no more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.