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The Significance of Maryland’s Firearm Safety Bill and Why It Needs to Be Passed

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2022

A new version of Maryland’s Firearm Safety Storage Requirements and Youth Suicide Prevention bill became known as “Jaelynn’s Law” a few years back. Despite being a significant proposal, the bill is still stuck in the House Judicial Proceedings Committee. The bill has been in work for nearly a decade now, and most questions around it have been cleared. In 2020, Maryland Senate passed a version of it, but soon the session closed early due to COVID. Now it is waiting to be voted on.

Why Did The Bill Become Affiliated With Jaelynn Willey?

Jaelynn Willey was a 16-year-old girl tragically shot by her former boyfriend in 2018. Jaelynn’s former boyfriend, Austin Rollins, had been stalking and harassing her for a while. On March 20, 2018, he brought his father’s 9 mm Glock handgun to Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County and fatally shot Jaelynn in the head. After that, he shot himself too and died due to the bullet.

At the time of the shooting, Austin was 17-years-old. Due to Austin’s age, his father did not face any charges for keeping the firearm in a place that was accessible to Austin.

What Are the Current Child Access Prevention Laws, and What Does the Bill Propose?

The child access prevention law in Maryland is only applicable if the minor is 15 years or younger. The punishment for a conviction is a simple misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $1,000. The bill has proposed that in cases where the guardian has been careless about storing the firearm, the maximum age limit should be 17 years. It also states that the potential fine should be higher and the possibility of jail time for the guardian depending on the consequences. If the firearm is stored poorly, but no one accesses it, the bill states 90 days in jail penalty and a fine of $1000. In a case where minor access the poorly stored firearm and proceeds to harm themselves or others, the bill states up to three years in jail and a fine of $5000.

Importance of This Bill

According to Attorney Oleg Fastovsky “It is a tough decision to make to charge an already grieving parent. Parents are generally careful with firearms, but the addition of jail time and a higher fine can reduce the cases we are seeing. It will help ensure that people who are not as careful will now become more attentive to how they store firearms. Nobody should lose a child due to their own or someone else’s negligence, and if new laws fix this, then that should be done.”

Studies have shown that such laws help decrease suicide and unintentional gun deaths by 54%. This is an essential statistic as an increase in suicides has been noted recently. The Centers for Disease Control observed a 22% rise in suicide attempts in children between 12 to 17 during the summer of 2019-2020.

The bill would also require the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services to develop and release a publicly available guide to encourage practices to store firearms safely and prevent suicide in youths.

If this bill gets approved, Maryland will join states like California and Massachusetts that also have jail time as a punishment for cases where a guardian fails to comply with the state’s laws regarding the safe storage of firearms.

Lately, the House Judiciary Committee members have had their hands full as they focus on passing an impactful “ghost gun” bill through this session. This bill will prevent the proliferation of untraceable weapons. However, they should not have to choose between these two bills and should work to pass both bills before any more innocent lives are lost.

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Creating Safe Havens: Inside Genesis USA’s Vision for Inclusive Housing

Published

3 weeks ago

December 3, 2024

Jimmy Lerner

Photo Courtesy of GenesisUSA

GenesisUSA, a nonprofit based in Arlington, Texas, works to improve the lives of disabled veterans and children who have lost their parents. Led by Charles Ford, the organization goes beyond providing financial aid. It focuses on long-term solutions, like building wheelchair-accessible homes, to support independence and dignity for those in need. With rising housing costs and growing inequality, GenesisUSA’s mission addresses a critical gap.

Ford and his team create supportive environments that help promote self-reliance in underserved communities. As a smaller, community-based organization, it addresses challenges that can be difficult for larger organizations to manage. Its work shows how local initiatives can make a noticeable difference.

A Growing Crisis: The Need for Accessible Housing

The demand for affordable and accessible housing continues to grow. A 2023 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that more than 11 million U.S. households need homes with accessibility features. This challenge is more pronounced for disabled veterans, with nearly four million living in homes that do not meet their physical needs.

“Our veterans have sacrificed a lot for this country, but many still face housing that doesn’t suit their needs,” Ford says. “Beyond merely providing them shelter, we’re creating a space where they can live comfortably.”

GenesisUSA is responding by building homes designed for accessibility. These houses include ramps, wider doorways, and modified kitchens and bathrooms to allow veterans to live more independently. The organization also plans to create supportive environments for children who have lost their parents, many of whom also face mobility challenges.

Ford’s Community-Driven Leadership at GenesisUSA

Ford’s years of experience in construction and his dedication to charitable work have shaped his leadership at GenesisUSA. He stays closely involved, often meeting veterans and families to learn about their needs firsthand. “For me, it’s about building personal connections,” Ford says. “Large charities sometimes miss the individual stories.”

The community focus defines Ford’s leadership. Although some wonder if a smaller nonprofit can make a meaningful impact, Ford is confident. “We don’t have celebrity endorsements or huge budgets, but we have real relationships with the people we help,” he says. His dedication to grassroots efforts sets GenesisUSA apart from larger, more structured organizations.

GenesisUSA has already helped over 100 people and aims to expand its impact with affordable, accessible housing solutions. One notable feature is the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool, which has received positive feedback. Ford says, “We’re creating spaces where people can enjoy life fully, just like everyone else,” which reflects the organization’s mission to support independence and inclusion.

Building More Than Homes: A Reflection of Hope

Ford looks back on GenesisUSA’s progress with a clear sense of purpose. “We’re not simply building homes, we’re offering hope and building opportunities for independence,” he says. “We’re here to support veterans who face mobility challenges and children who have lost their parents, offering them a chance at a more self-reliant life.”

As the organization’s reach expands, so does its ability to impact lives across the country. Its work embodies Ford’s dedication to ensuring that no one is overlooked. Ford envisions scaling their efforts while maintaining the personalized approach that defines their model.

“We’re still in the early stages,” he notes. “As we grow, we’ll continue to prioritize individual needs. Our success hinges on the improved quality of life for each person we help.”

As the demand for accessible, supportive housing rises, organizations like GenesisUSA play an important role in filling gaps left by larger institutions and government programs. Through its focus on tailored support and community-driven solutions, GenesisUSA is building a model for how smaller nonprofits can significantly impact and address pressing social needs.