Ulman Says He Would Support Assault Weapons Ban

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said Monday he'd support a ban on assault weapons and regulations on gun magazine size as public officials across the country weigh in on gun policy after the deadly school shooting in Connecticut.

"We need to have some common sense gun regulation," said Ulman at a press conference inside the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.

"I've talked to a lot of friends and a lot of people I know who are very strong supporters of the Second Amendment who have said now is the time," said Ulman. "You've got to take a test to get a driver's license. Hopefully we can agree there ought to be basic steps that ensure people are responsible."

Ulman said that banning assault weapons and reducing magazine size is not a cure-all, but a step.

"It's one common sense approach that has to be part of the dialogue," said Ulman.

Earlier Monday, Batimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz called on state and federal lawmakers to tighten gun laws by eliminating exceptions to national background checks as well as ending the sale of "military-grade assault weapons" and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

The shooter in the Sandy Hook, CT school shooting reportedly used an assault rifle capable of firing high velocity rounds and magazines that held 30 bullets each, according to the Washington Post.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday gun control laws would be up for debate at the federal level, according to the Huffington Post.

"In the coming days and weeks, we will engage in a meaningful conversation and thoughtful debate about how to change laws and culture that allow violence to grow," Reid said, according to the Huffington Post.

Current law bans fully automatic assault weapons, but semiautomatic assault weapons are legal, as well as high-capacity magazines, according to a Washington Post article about the now-expired 1994 assault weapons ban.

See related coverage:

• County Schools Cautious After Sandy Hook Shooting
• Nearly 500 Guns Surrendered in Baltimore After Newtown Shooting
• Howard County Police to Increase Patrols Near Schools After Connecticut Shooting