Lawmakers look to criminalize violent threats

ANNAPOLIS — A Maryland House panel will consider a bill that would make threatening to commit an act of mass violence illegal.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks will testify Wednesday in support of the measure during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Alsobrooks lobbied legislators to introduce the bill in the wake of two highly publicized violent threats, including that of a former University of Maryland student who threatened to go on a shooting rampage on the College Park campus.

If the bill were approved, people who make mass threats could be charged with a felony.