Montgomery County passes sweeping bill targeting ghost guns, firearm restrictions

ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Montgomery County Council voted overwhelmingly to pass new fast-tracked gun control legislation Tuesday that puts restrictions on ghost guns and prohibits firearms in some public places.

What we know:

The 10-1 vote comes months after the Maryland Supreme Court struck down the county's previous restriction, which banned firearms within 100 feet of all public gathering spots.

Supporters said the updated bill narrows the list of restricted locations to bring local policy into compliance with the State Supreme Court's ruling.

RELATED: Ghost gun debate at center of Montgomery County hearing

Under the new legislation, ghost guns are defined as firearms that lack serial numbers, and the law imposes strict limits regarding their proximity to minors.

"Look, we have more guns than people in the U.S.," said Councilmember Will Jawando, who supported the bill. "It just says that these are the places... certain places where guns can be and certain places where they can't be. Aligned with what the Supreme Court said we needed to do."

What they're saying:

Despite the council's strong support, the bill faced pushback from both civil rights advocates and gun rights groups.

Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles cast the only dissenting vote, expressing concerns about how the legislation would be enforced. Sayles warned that the law could lead to more stop-and-frisk searches, disproportionately affecting minority residents in communities that are already over-policed.

Simultaneously, gun rights organization Maryland Shall Issue announced it is already drafting a lawsuit to challenge the measure. Mark Pennak, president of the group, along with other activists, testified last month that the law unfairly penalizes law-abiding citizens who have completed the state's rigorous process to obtain a concealed carry permit.

"One of my clients is a former Special Forces soldier, and he's supremely well-trained, and yet he's not allowed to carry in his synagogue," Pennak said. "These places are targets, including in Montgomery County, and you're basically leaving these places naked, and they can't hire private security guards 24/7."

Dig deeper:

Opponents also raised concerns regarding travel restrictions. Although the bill includes an exception allowing concealed carry permit holders to travel with firearms on public highways throughout the county, critics worry it will not protect a driver who steps out of their vehicle to pump gas or use a park restroom during a trip.

The legislation will not take effect until it is signed by the County Executive.

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