Posted on 01/26/23
| News Source: FOX45
The Baltimore City Police Department (BCPD) said an alarming amount of Baltimore youth are getting their hands on guns.
At a public meeting concerning juvenile justice in the city, the department revealed about 40% of the ghost guns being pulled off the streets are found on those under the age of 21. Meaning, many of those caught illegally carrying are too young to buy a gun in the first place.
The uptick in young people caught with weapons comes on the heels of Jill Carter’s Juvenile Justice Reform Act taking effect in June of last year. The measure was meant to protect kids from facing a number of criminal charges.
Specifically, under the new laws, kids under the age of 16 are blocked from being charged with any firearm crimes.
For example, in the case of an Anne Arundel County 12-year-old who brought a loaded gun to school, police issued no consequences.
It's causing law enforcement leaders from across the state to sound the alarms.