A Baltimore City Council committee has approved an amended version of a bill that would have required a mandatory one-year sentence for illegally possessing a gun.
Under the revised bill, the mandatory sentence would only apply on a second offense or if the person was carrying the gun while committing a crime. Supporters of the measure believe it will keep gun offenders from returning to the streets too soon, but opponents believe it would not be effective and could unfairly target blacks. The bill now moves to the full council. At least five city council members have said they will not support the measure.
During the meeting, a scuffle broke out between police and protesters angry over Mayor Catherine Pugh's proposed mandatory gun sentencing bill. At one point during the hearing, some members of the public started shouting. It led to a scuffle with police and several people were removed from the building. In a released statement, Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said two men were arrested, but they have not been officially charged. “A 29-year-old male was taken into custody as well as a 27-year-old male,” said Smith. “The 27-year-old male complained of chest pains after being arrested. He [was] transported to a local hospital for treatment.” There’s been no update on his condition.