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‘Ghost gun’ legislation passes in Montgomery Co.

The nine-member Montgomery County Council in Maryland voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a bill that restricts the possession, sale and transfer of so-called “ghost guns” to minors.

The term ghost gun has been used to describe firearms that can be assembled and manufactured with the help of a 3D printer. Police and legislators who’ve targeted the firearms said they’re concerned because of the lack of serial numbers and that the components — plastic — make them hard to detect.

The move passed by the Montgomery County Council also bars having ghost guns within 100 yards of a “place of public assembly,” like schools, churches or parks, and prohibits making a ghost gun with a 3D printer in the presence of a minor.

“This will give both our police department another tool in the toolbox to address issues of gun violence and do so in a way that helps keep all of our residents safe” said County Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz.

The bill passed by the council focuses on minors — the county’s ability to apply broader firearms regulations is limited.

Bills restricting ghost guns are being considered in the Maryland General Assembly.

How to make sure your deck doesn’t become dangerous

In less than a month, Montgomery County, Maryland, saw two home deck collapses that sent people to the hospital. The incidents are a reminder that homeowners need to monitor their decks closely, and one deck builder said you should start by looking where the deck connects to the house. “Most of these collapses usually happen when there is no back beam against the house,” said Jose Ugalde, with Deck Master, in Gaithersburg.
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