O'Malley Will Introduce Legislation To Prevent Mass Shootings

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will introduce bills in 2013 designed to prevent mass shootings like the one that happened last week at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

The details of the legislation have yet to be worked out, O'Malley told reporters Tuesday. He also said it's clear the shooting in Newtown, Conn. is moving the state and the country in a different direction.

"We've all been changed by the loss of innocent lives in Connecticut and we've all been changed," O'Malley said.

Last week's shooting presents three main areas of legislative focus, the governor said: laws relating to assault weapons, mental health treatment and school safety. He also said that an assault weapons ban would be more effective on a national rather than local level, but conceded he would sign a bill to ban the weapons if it reached his desk.

O'Malley made the remarks during a broad discussion of the state's progress in 2012 in areas including education, transportation and the environment. He also presented a list of 15 goals for the state in 2013 and beyond beginning with a pledge to increase jobs in the state.

"The number one goal is job creation because without jobs, there is no progress," O'Malley said.

The next 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly begins January 9.