LifeBridge Health, Creator of “Stop the Iron Pipeline,” Stands with Passage of Senate Bill 443 Making Gun Trafficking a Felony in Maryland
Annapolis– Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed Senate Bill 443 into law on May 13, 2025, reclassifying the trafficking of regulated firearms as a felony and strengthens penalties for those who bring illegal guns into the state. LifeBridge Health strongly advocated for the passage of the bill as it is in line with the goals of the healthcare system’s “Stop the Iron Pipeline” movement.
Stop the Iron Pipeline, launched in December 2024, is a multi-faceted initiative that seeks to raise awareness that Maryland has among the nation’s highest rate of out-of-state illegal gun imports, accounting for two-thirds of all gun crimes in the state, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The movement educated and empowered Marylanders, and even those outside the state, to advocate for policy changes and fight gun trafficking.
“Our communities are deeply affected by gun violence, and it’s part of our organization’s mission to care for the health and well-being of our communities,” says LifeBridge Health President and CEO Neil Meltzer. “That is why our healthcare system initiated ‘Stop the Iron Pipeline’ and why we stand behind the passage of Senate Bill 443, which aims to make our communities safer.”
Senate Bill 443 makes it so that (a) A dealer or other person may not transport a regulated firearm into the State for the purpose of unlawfully selling or trafficking of the regulated firearm. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both. (c) Each violation of this section is a separate crime.
Stop the Iron Pipeline has been bringing about awareness to Marylanders around the issue of illegal gun trafficking by encouraging them to take action by signing a petition calling on elected officials to prioritize efforts around illegal guns in the state and share their own stories of gun violence on StoptheIronPipeline.org.
Traffickers bring these guns in from other states along Route I-95 – a major north-south corridor through the East Coast states known as the “Iron Pipeline.” So far more than 4,000 people have signed the ‘Stop the Iron Pipeline’ petition.
LifeBridge Health leaders and other staff along with supporters of ‘Stop the Iron Pipeline’ were in Annapolis in support of the signage of SB 443.
“With gun violence as the leading cause of death for children under 18 in America, this is a significant victory in our fight to shut down the iron pipeline of illegal guns that flow into Maryland. Efforts like these reduce unnecessary gun deaths and ultimately protect our children. This legislation reflects LifeBridge Health’s unwavering dedication to creating a safer community,” said Adam Rosenberg, the vice president of violence intervention and prevention at LifeBridge Health.
About LifeBridge Health
LifeBridge Health is one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in Maryland. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale, Grace Medical Center and related subsidiaries and affiliates. For more information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org
Contact: Theodosha Hayes, 410-601-2296, thayes3@lifebridgehealth.org