BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland State Police says officers from several law enforcement agencies will help troopers conduct background checks for people applying to buy guns.
State police said Thursday that officers from other agencies will conduct firearm purchase application background investigations. State law requires that the investigations be conducted by police officers.
As many as 20 officers will work out of a Maryland State Police office in Columbia beginning Monday.
The officers will be from Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Natural Resources Police, Maryland Transit Administration Police and the Maryland Capital Police.
State police have been scrambling to deal with a crush of applicants before Oct. 1, when the Firearm Safety Act takes effect. The law includes new requirements for background checks, including handgun qualification license and fingerprinting requirements.
