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>> While Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has floated the possibility of more armed school guards in the wake of the Newtown massacre, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has said that he’s considering a number of gun control measures, reports the Examiner. Among those are a possible ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as measures to ensure that the mentally ill don’t get access to guns. The assault weapon and high-capacity magazine bans may be first on the list; four Democratic state senators have said they will propose them soon.

>> In less than two weeks, same-sex couples in Maryland will be able to legally marry. They won’t, however, be able to file joint tax returns. The Washington Times writes that State Comptroller Peter Franchot has said that despite the impending legality of same-sex nuptials, the state will follow federal law and require same-sex couples to file separately. That distinction will put Maryland in a class all its own: other states that recognize same-sex marriage allow couples to file jointly. State officials say that they will change their policy if the federal Defense of Marriage Act is knocked down by the courts or rescinded by Congress.

>> D.C. isn’t the only jurisdiction that saw a decrease in homicides in 2012. The Post reports that Prince George’s County officials are set to announce that murders have fallen to a level not seen in over 20 years, with 60 killings having been recorded so far this year. County Executive Rushern Baker is taking credit for the drop, saying that his policy of paying particular attention to six troubled neighborhoods has paid off.

Briefly Noted: Laurel student hospitalized for allegedly threatening classmates … D.C. creates five-year plan for education improvements … Suspected butt slasher extradited from Peru to Fairfax County … MPD resumes publication of crime statistics … Airports board members took big raises … D.C. church becomes victim of Christmas three theft D.C. Child Services Agency shows improvements.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2011, Marion Barry had more issues with his silver Jaguar and the National Zoo received a large donation to help its pandas produce offspring. In 2010, lion cubs!