Shooting Kills 3 at Maryland Business as Congress Fights for Gun Control

Three people were shot and killed at a business in a Maryland town as lawmakers in Congress continue to debate gun control.

On Thursday afternoon, a gunman opened fire at a manufacturing plant in Smithsburg, Maryland, killing three people, according to local NBC station News 4. The station goes on to report that deputies were called to an active shooter situation at Columbia Machine, Inc., at approximately 2:30 p.m.

During a press conference following the shooting, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who mentioned that he did not yet have all the facts surrounding the fatal shooting, also said that a state trooper had also been shot but did not provide a condition on the law enforcement officer or the suspect. News 4 did report that the suspect had been taken to a hospital.

"My understanding is potentially three people killed. The perpetrator, state police responded, pursued the suspect. Suspect fired and shot a state trooper in the shoulder who then returned fire and shot him back. I don't know the status of the shooter but, you know, that is an ongoing, developing situation," he said.

The fatal shooting in Maryland comes as Congress is currently debating gun control legislation. Gun reform has been a hotly debated topic, with many, including President Joe Biden, calling for change following the mass deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people lost their lives, including 19 children.

On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Kids Act by a 223-204 margin. That measure passed the body primarily on a party-line vote, except for five Republicans who crossed over and voted with the Democrats in support of it. Indiana Republican Representative Trey Hollingsworth did not cast a vote on the measure.

Also, on Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a provision, to be included in a package of gun control measures, to up the age requirement for purchasing a military-style rifle from 18 to 21. The passed by a vote of 228-199, with 10 Republicans voting in support of the provision while two Democrats voted against.

During a press conference Wednesday morning, House Republican Whip and Louisiana Republican Representative Steve Scalise, in arguing against gun control measures, stated that following 9/11, a day where thousands of people were killed, there were no conversations had about banning planes.

"And airplanes were used that day, as the weapon to kill thousands of people and to inflict terror on our country. There wasn't a conversation about banning airplanes. There was a conversation about connecting the dots. How can we try to figure out if there are signs we can see to stop the next attack from happening?" he said.

Newsweek reached out to the Maryland State Police and the Washington County Sheriff's Office for comment.