Maryland governor signs bill to create statewide gun center

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill into law on Thursday to create a new statewide center to help prevent gun violence.

The governor described the center as the first of its kind since the White House urged states to form their own centers to better focus efforts to stop gun violence. Moore also signed two other measures related to guns into law, including a bill that would enable state and local officials to hold the members of the firearm industry accountable in civil court, if they fail to meet minimum standards to prevent harm.

Another bill expands the definition of “rapid fire trigger activator” to include auto sears, also known as Glock switches, banning them in the state.

Last year, President Joe Biden created the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention, which is overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris. The office coordinates efforts across the federal government to offer help and guidance to states struggling with gun violence. The administration has called on states to create their own offices to help focus federal grants to reduce violence.

“Maryland became the first state in the nation to officially answer President Biden’s call,” Moore, a Democrat, said at a news conference during his fourth bill-signing ceremony of the year.

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