For Immediate Release
February 15, 2023

Congressman Kweisi Mfume Submits Written Testimony in Support of Gun Legislation in Annapolis

The legislation was introduced at the request of Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and will be heard in the Maryland House of Delegates today.

BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) submitted written testimony with the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates, supporting House Bill 481 – Criminal Law – Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun – Penalty. This legislation would increase, from 3 years to 5 years, the maximum penalty for wearing, carrying, or transporting an illegal handgun. The bill is spearheaded by Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates and sponsored by Baltimore City Delegate Frank Conaway Jr. (D-District 40) and nine other members of the Maryland House of Delegates. The Judiciary Committee has a 1:00 p.m. hearing scheduled on the legislation today.

“Like you, I am often asked about crime in Maryland, particularly Baltimore City. My response is clear: Crime must be the top priority for all public servants - local, state, and federal. The figures, which you know, speak for themselves. Over three hundred (300) lives lost in Baltimore City for too many years in a row. Thousands of mostly Black lives, with boundless potential, snuffed out by gun violence,” Congressman Mfume wrote in one portion of the letter. “[W]e all want safer streets and fewer criminals. Too much violence happens with too many guns that are too readily available,” he added in another portion of the letter.

Other portions of the letter highlight some of Congressman Mfume’s anti-crime work in Congress, including his leadership on the Dawson Family Witness Protection Act, Identifying Mass Shooters Act, and Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act. The letter does not reference the millions of federal dollars brought to Baltimore City through Congress.  

Full text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

February 14, 2023

Honorable Luke Clippinger
Chair, Judiciary Committee
Maryland House of Delegates
Taylor House Office Building, Room 101
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Re:     Support for House Bill 481 – Criminal Law – Wearing, Carrying, or       Transporting a Handgun – Penalty

Dear Chair Clippinger:

Thank you and the entire Judiciary Committee for your leadership. The thoughtful approach you take to lawmaking is a model to be commended and appreciated.

With this letter, I express my support for a measure before your Committee, House Bill 481 – Criminal Law – Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun – Penalty.

Like you, I am often asked about crime in Maryland, particularly Baltimore City. My response is clear:  Crime must be the top priority for all public servants - local, state, and federal. The figures, which you know, speak for themselves. Over three hundred (300) lives lost in Baltimore City for too many years in a row. Thousands of mostly Black lives, with boundless potential, snuffed out by gun violence. Compounding the violence is a “stop snitching” culture that enables the bad people who commit these crimes to act with perceived impunity.

In Congress, I am working to push forward legislation that will make all our communities safer. For example, my bill, the Dawson Family Witness Protection Act of 2023 (H.R. 475) creates a competitive grant program for state, local, and tribal governments to support witness protection programs for cases involving homicides, violent felonies, serious drug offenses, gang-related crimes, or organized crime. This bipartisan measure provides $150 million in funding over five years to ensure adequate protections are in place to protect against the impacts of coercion or duress against witnesses – sometimes colloquially referred to as “stop snitching” culture. Senator Ben Cardin has also introduced this measure in the U.S. Senate. 

I also have legislation to address the rise in mass shootings in the United States. The Identifying Mass Shooters Act (H.R. 563) directs the science and research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice - the National Institute of Justice - to collect, study, and analyze online content created by convicted mass shooters in an effort to better identify the potential for mass shootings before they occur if possible.

Finally, I am proud to co-lead a measure with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act (H.R. 584), which requires federally licensed firearms dealers to confirm the identity of individuals who arrange to purchase ammunition over the internet by verifying a photo I.D. The bill would also require ammunition vendors to report any sales of more than 1,000 rounds within five consecutive days to the U.S. Attorney General, if the person purchasing ammunition is not a licensed dealer.

I want to commend you and the House Judiciary Committee for affording those of us who support the position of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney on House Bill 481 an opportunity to be heard. Like you and so many others, we all want safer streets and fewer criminals. Too much violence happens with too many guns that are too readily available.

Again, thank you. I am appreciative of your indulgence.

Sincerely,

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