Cecil County passes resolution opposing gun control law

New Maryland gun control law requires licensing, fingerprinting

ELKTON, Md. —Cecil County lawmakers fired back at gun control in Maryland, unanimously passing a resolution opposed to the state Firearms Safety Act of 2013.

Supporters of the resolution hope other counties around the state will join Cecil County's efforts, even though, at this point, it's strictly symbolic.

For Alan McCarthy, vice president of the Cecil County Council, it was something he felt he needed to do.

"The amount of support that I've received for this resolution has been overwhelming," he said.

After a large number of residents approached him with concern over the recently passed Maryland Firearms Safety Act of 2013, McCarthy helped draft a resolution deeming the law unconstitutional. The resolution passed the County Council by a 4-0 vote.

"We feel the 2nd Amendment is granted to us by U.S. Constitution and the Bill Of Rights. We feel abuse of government's power, and we think we have no obligation lawfully to abide by what they're making or asking us to do," McCarthy said.

The Firearms Safety Act is one of the strictest set of rules in the country concerning gun control. For example, under the law, gun owners have to license for their firearms and have to get fingerprinted. Almost 50 different firearms have been banned and handgun magazines are now limited to no more than 10 rounds.

McCarthy said he actually supports the certain rules in the bill but he feels more time should be spent on mental health.

"I basically feel convicted felons should not have guns. I don't think people should have automatic weapons. (We're) not making any outright demands or threats. We're just saying we don't think that this is right," McCarthy said.

So far, Carroll County has written to McCarthy in support -- even if it is only symbolic.