For Immediate Release

senator sinks assault weapons ban

April 02, 2004

Baltimore, MD: CeaseFire Maryland, Inc., the state's leading gun violence prevention group, expressed deep disappointment today that SB 288, the bill that would have protected Marylanders from assault rifles, died in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Senator John A. Giannetti, Jr., cast the vote that killed the measure.

Leah Barrett, Executive Director of CeaseFire Maryland, said, "I still thought it was possible he would come to his senses at the eleventh hour and support this sensible bill, but now his vote against banning assault weapons is on record for all to see.”

She continued: “What I find particularly puzzling is that Senator Giannetti could not even bring himself to support a straight reauthorization of the weak 1994 federal ban, which is the law of the land until September 13, 2004. We don’t expect Congress to act to renew the ban so Marylanders will be able to buy AK-47s and other assault weapons on September 14.”

“By casting his ‘No’ vote, Senator Giannetti abandoned his constituents, 82% of whom strongly support not only the continuation of the federal assault weapons ban but also support strengthening the ban to include copycat assault weapons."

Americans are already the most heavily armed civilian population in the world, according to a recent UN small arms survey. The proliferation of military-style assault weapons in the hands of civilians threatens the safety not only of ordinary Americans, but also of law enforcement officers (one in five was killed by an assault weapon between 1998 and 2001 according to FBI data). Kevlar vests are no defense against these highly lethal weapons.

Barrett concluded: “I’m afraid it will have to take another tragedy in Maryland to bring lawmakers such as Senator Giannetti to their senses. Perhaps then they will deem public safety more important than political expediency. But then again, perhaps not.”