Maryland Poised To Enact Gun Control Measures

The Maryland Legislature passed strict gun control measures including a magazine-capacity limit and assault weapon ban Wednesday expected to be signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

The Firearm Safety Act of 2013, which would go into effect Oct. 1, would ban magazines that hold more than 10 bullets and ban 45 types of semiautomatic rifles classified as assault weapons.

The act would also require buyers of guns other than hunting rifles or shotguns to obtain a license. The process would require submitting fingerprints to police, passing classroom and firing-range training, and undergoing more extensive background checks, reports the Washington Post .

Following Gov. O'Malley's signing of the act, Maryland will join California, Colorado , Connecticut , Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York as states with the most strict gun laws.