MILLER: Maryland Fails the Troops

State Gun-control measure puts military readiness at risk

Gun Grabbing Maryland outlaws #1 Pistol Supplier to the Military

“We are deeply troubled that the bill that passed the Senate may impair national security by forcing companies to leave Maryland in order to continue to provide the military and law enforcement with the products they need to keep our nation and communities safe,” says Lawrence Keane, general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents firearms manufacturers.

Since 1985, Beretta USA has been responsible for supplying the standard-issue M9 pistol to all five branches of the military. From its southern Maryland plant, the firm has provided more than 600,000 pistols to the Defense Department; the contract expires at the end of 2014. The M9 has a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds, which is five more than Gov. Martin O’Malley says anyone should have.


“The bill strongly suggests to us that this administration does not support manufacturers in Maryland producing firearms,” says the company’s president Jimmy Stavrakis. “The bill is a moving target right now, but with this unfriendly business environment, we will strongly consider moving out of state.”