Maryland Senate Passes Sweeping Gun Control Legislation

Would require buyers be fingerprinted

Maryland Senate Democrats passed sweeping gun-control legislation proposed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Thursday, with tighter firearm restrictions on the mentally ill and token concessions on a new licensing requirement that will force most gun buyers to be fingerprinted.

Before Thursday's 28 to 19 vote, Republicans attempted a filibuster, railing against the plan for more than four hours and warning that the bill proposed by O'Malley (D) would put Maryland in the untenable position of requiring fingerprints of residents to exercise a constitutional right.