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OFFICE OF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
AISHA N. BRAVEBOY
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 1, 2022
For more information, contact:
Denise Douglas
Communication Specialist
Office of the State’s Attorney, Prince George’s County
240-623-4642 cell or 301-780-8206 office
@PGSAONEWS
LAW BANNING THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF GHOST GUNS GOES INTO EFFECT
State’s Attorney Braveboy successfully advocated for the Passage of the Law
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy was an early leader in Prince George’s County and throughout the state pushing for a law to ban “ghost guns”, which are firearms that don’t have serial numbers and can be assembled from kits purchased online. Without serial numbers the weapons can’t be traced to individuals if they are used in the commission of a crime.
The law goes into effect today, June 1st. Law enforcement officials have seen a steady increase in the use of such firearms over the past several years. Of the 1399 firearms recovered in 2021 in Prince George’s County 264 were “ghost guns”. From January to April of this year police recovered 540 guns, of which 97 were ghost guns.
Not only will the new statute help law enforcement prevent and solve more crimes, but it will also keep firearms out of the hands of those who can’t lawfully possess them. “This has been a major concern for all of us in law enforcement. “The new law prohibits a person from purchasing, receiving, selling, offering to sell, or transferring an “unfinished frame or receiver” or a firearm unless it is serialized,” said State’s Attorney Braveboy. “This bill gives us the tools needed to effectively prosecute cases involving “ghost guns”, hold everyone accountable and ultimately keep our communities safe.”
Lawmakers in Annapolis passed the measure during the last legislative session without Governor Larry Hogan’s signature. The bill is set to work in two phases. Phase one will outlaw the buying and selling of ghost guns starting June 1st. Phase two will completely ban ownership of them on March 1, 2023.
Those found to violate the law could face anywhere from a $10,000 fine to up to five years in prison. ###