ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan issued the following statement following the introduction of the “Violent Firearms Offender Act” and “Judicial Transparency Act” as emergency legislation during the special session of the Maryland General Assembly:
“People are being shot nearly every single day in Baltimore City, and we have an obligation to do something about it right now.
“Today, our administration has introduced emergency legislation to require tougher sentencing for violent offenders, specifically those who continue to commit violent felonies with guns, and to bring greater transparency to the sentences handed down by judges for all violent crimes.
“Passing these desperately-needed reforms has been a multi-year effort by our administration. An overwhelming majority of Baltimore City residents, and all Marylanders, strongly support these bills. We have all waited long enough. City leaders, the city delegation, and all members of the General Assembly must finally work with us to make our neighborhoods safer and to get these violent shooters off the streets.”
