Members of the Maryland Republican caucus are pushing for tougher crime legislation in Annapolis this legislative session. During a Thursday news conference House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy said the biggest public safety issues for Marylanders are to address violent and juvenile crime. The Republican lawmakers are supporting the Violent Firearms Offender Act to increase sentences for repeat gun offenders and the Juvenile Gun Offenses Accountability Act which would allow children between ten and 12-years-old to be charged with gun crimes. Anne Arundel County Delegate Nic Kipke addressed last year’s juvenile reform legislation which does not allow charges against children under the age of 13. He says young people cannot be expected to fully understand the impact of crimes they commit if they are not held accountable.