Patch Poll: Should Congress Ban Semi-Automatic Rifles?

A Maryland Congressman says that, in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting that killed 49 people, the country needs to follow the state's lead and curb access to semi-automatic rifles.

Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Montgomery County, who is seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Barbara Mikulski, said on Tuesday that it's not enough for individual states such as Maryland to ban assault weapons for private gun owners.

Congress must follow Maryland's lead to require trigger locks and licenses, as well as restrict sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Those subject to the requirements would be anyone on the no-fly list, those being investigated for ties to terrorism, or anyone convicted of a hate crime, Van Hollen said.

Hunters and people buying guns for personal protection should not have the option to buy an assault weapon and high-capacity ammunition magazines designed for the battlefield, he said.

“The terrorist who attacked our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community this weekend would not have been able to gun down so many so quickly without his assault weapon,” Van Hollen said. “We can no longer afford to ignore the easy availability of these military style weapons in our country. We are all in this together and we must find a way to take action that helps protect lives,” the Congressman said.

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Omar Mateen walked into the packed Pulse nightclub at closing time early Sunday with an AR15-type rifle, opening fire on dozens of people and holding hostages for hours before he was killed by Orlando, Fl, police. Authorities say 53 people were injured, some critically.

The man who sold Mateen the guns — a handgun and an AR-type rifle — defended the sale on Monday.

"It's horrible but I don't make the laws. I abide by them," said Ed Henson at a press conference. "My heartfelt condolences for the family and victims and I can't imagine the horror they face. I did everything by the book. I'm not going to be made into a villain."

"I'm proud to live in an inclusive county and state that's worked to protect the LGBTQ community and enact some of the toughest, most sensible gun laws in the U.S. — but progress is a choice, and we still have a long road ahead of us," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said that the easy access to automatic weapons, combined with intolerance, led to the slaughter.

“There can be no justification, whether religious or political, for the taking of innocent life,” Leggett said in a statement. “And there is nothing more un-American than targeting individuals based on their faith, where they come from, what color their skin might be or whom they choose to love.”

Sen. Mikulski called the Orlando shooting a hate crime.

“We must continue to share this message with the American people — that America’s strength lies in its diversity. We are #StrongerTogether,” Mikulski said.

“All of us must stand together in denouncing prejudice and violence directed at any group. I join the LGBT community and my Muslim friends in speaking out against hate in any form.”

While she didn’t mention tighter gun regulations specifically, Mikulski said, “we should also lift up our voices in a unified call for peace.”

Patch wants to know what you think. Should Congress ban assault rifles? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.

<a href="<a href=" http:="" polldaddy.com="" poll="" 9445601="" "="">should"="">http://polldaddy.com/poll/9445...</a> Maryland ban assault-style weapons?