Maryland Shall Issue®

Maryland Shall Issue Update Feb 20th 2012

MSI Administrator — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:03:23 +0000

1. New Information On Bills
2. Coming To The Hearings on 2/21
3. Watch the Hearings Online
4. House Bills 2012
5. Senate Bills 2012

1. New Information On Bills

We have several additions and changes to the bill information since the last issue.

HB300 – We've added the information for the House Judiciary Committee. Please contact them and state your opposition to HB300.
HB1100 – Added position statement and action plan.
SB512 – Added the position and action plan.
Added new bills HB1310 and HB1321 with position statements and action plans.
Corrected the email address for Delegate Curt Anderson on the position statements and action plans.

2. Coming To The Hearings on 2/21

Parking is at a premium in downtown Annapolis.
The easiest way to park is to park at the Navy/Marine Corps stadium (exit 24 off of RT 50). Parking is $5.00.
Plan your arrival to be at the hearing location by noon.
Catch the shuttle ($3.00 this year).
Ask the driver to let you off at the House or Senate Building, respectively.
Pass through security with a photo ID. Treat this as you would airport security.
Go to hearing room and stake your claim for a seat
If submitting written testimony, you will need 35 copies for the House and 20 copies for the Senate.
Written testimony must be submitted by 11:00am
Dress is business casual or business suits. Let's not play into their stereotypes. MSI Polo shirts are perfect and you can also put your MSI lapel pins on your suit jackets.
Sign up sheets are inside the hearing room. Sign up to register your position, even if you don't intend to speak.
Typically, the representatives of the major gun groups speak first because they have a coordinated plan for testimony.
When you speak, be concise, polite and stay on a single topic. If the day is getting long (and Feb 21 will be a long day), it's OK to just say, "I support/oppose this bill".

Attending a Committee Hearing
Security Procedures
Map of Legislative Complex

3. Watch the Hearings Online

If you cannot attend the hearings in person, remember that you can watch them as they happen by going here.

4. House Bills 2012

HB-45 – Handgun Permits – Qualifications – Presumption and Burden of Proof – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21st, 1:00pm

Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police base a finding that an applicant for a handgun permit has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun on an investigation; establishing a presumption that an applicant for a handgun permit has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun for the purposes of qualifying for a handgun permit; and establishing that the Secretary has the burden of specified proof.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB -208 – Baltimore City Public School System – Governance – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

This is just a functional bill that rewords some of the language in this part of the existing code. It's only filed as a "gun bill" because this section of the code authorizes Baltimore City Schools Police Officers to carry a firearm. There's nothing of interest for our folks.

HB-209 – Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States – OPPOSE

Hearing Date March 6, 1:00pm

Prohibiting a person from possessing a regulated firearm, rifle, or shotgun if the person was previously convicted of an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute a crime of violence or a violation of specified provisions of law if committed in this State.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-256 – Regulated Firearms – License Issue By Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia – Reciprocity – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-300 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Renewal Period For Retired law Enforcement – OPPOSE AS WRITTEN

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Establishing that a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following five years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of five years each if, at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses the qualifications for the issuance of a permit.

Position statement and action plan can be found here.

HB-379 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

HB-396 - Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Authorizing a law enforcement agency to transfer the handgun of a law enforcement officer who is killed or dies in the performance of duty to specified members of the deceased officer's family or to the deceased officer's estate; and authorizing a law enforcement agency to render the handgun of a deceased officer inoperable before transfer.

HB-430 -Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirement (Better Maryland – Right of Self Defense) – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-488 – Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirements – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-527 - Courts – Bankruptcy – Arms – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

Authorizing a person to claim an exemption in specified bankruptcy proceedings for arms in an amount not to exceed $2,000 in value; and applying the Act prospectively.

Position Statement and Action Can Be Found Here

HB-579 – Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Providing an exemption from specified requirements to complete a specified firearms training course if an individual is a retired law enforcement officer of a unit of the federal government, the State, or any local law enforcement agency in the State.

HB-618 - Task Force to Study Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms – OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Establishing a Task Force to Study Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms; providing for the membership, staffing, and duties of the Task Force; requiring the Task Force to report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2012, on legislative options for limiting the access to regulated firearms of individuals with a history of mental illness; and expanding the access of law enforcement officers to specified mental health records.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-739 – Bow Hunting – Possession of Handguns for Protection - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from restricting licensed bow hunters who are at least 21 years old from carrying a handgun for personal protection.

HB-968 - District Court Commissioners – Possession of Handguns on District Court Premises – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting any restriction against a commissioner carrying a handgun on District Court premises if the commissioner has a valid handgun permit.

HB – 1057 – Criminal Law – Robbery – Oral Claim of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting a person from committing or attempting to commit a robbery by making an oral claim that the person has possession of a dangerous weapon; and establishing a penalty for a violation of the Act.

HB-1066 – Criminal Law – Robbery and Burglary – Pharmacies – NO POSITION

Hearing Date March 6, 1:00pm

Prohibiting an individual from taking unauthorized possession of a specified controlled dangerous substance in a specified manner; prohibiting an individual from employing or displaying a dangerous weapon during the commission of a robbery of a pharmacy; prohibiting a person from breaking into a pharmacy with the intent to steal, take, or carry away a specified controlled dangerous substance; establishing penalties for a violation of the Act; etc.

HB-1100 – Public Safety – Restrictions on Possession of Firearms – Convicted Felons and People With Mental Disorders – OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting a person from possessing a firearm if the person has been convicted of a felony or, under specified circumstances, suffers from a mental disorder or has been confined to a specified facility for a specified period of time; establishing a penalty for a violation of the Act; prohibiting a court from suspending any part of a specified mandatory minimum sentence; etc.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-1104 - Criminal Law – Use of Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence – Felony – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Reclassifying as a felony the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or crime of violence.

HB-1113 - Public Safety – Possession of Stolen Regulated Firearms – Felony – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Establishing that a person who violates provisions of law regarding the possession, sale, transfer, or disposal of a stolen regulated firearm is guilty of a felony and on conviction subject to specified penalties.

HB – 1114 – Dangerous Convicted Offenders Firearm Ban – OPPOSE

Hearing Date, February 21, 1:00pm

Expanding the prohibition against the possession of a regulated firearm by specified persons to include the possession of any firearm; and expanding the prohibition against the sale of a regulated firearm to specified persons to include the sale of any firearm.

HB – 1135 – Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Qualifications – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting the Secretary of State Police from issuing a handgun permit to a person who the Secretary finds is prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm, is an illegal alien, has been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions, has a pending charge for a felony or a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year may be imposed, or has not completed a firearms safety training course unless a specified ground for exemption applies; etc.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-1310 - Regulated Firearms – Database – Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements – OPPOSE

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned To Rules Committee

Authorizing the Department of State Police to make specified information available to aid the investigation of those who are armed and prohibited from possessing a firearm; requiring the Secretary of State Police or the Secretary's designee to disapprove an application for a State-regulated firearms dealer's license if the Secretary or designee determines that the applicant intends a specified person to participate or hold a specified interest in the management or operation of the business for which the license is sought; etc.

Postion Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-1321 - Public Safety – Firearms Regulation by Local Jurisdictions – OPPOSE

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned To Rules Committee

Creating a specified exception to the State preemption of a political subdivision's authority relating to firearms; authorizing a political subdivision to require a specified person to report the purchase of specified firearms; and authorizing a political subdivision to require a specified report to include specified information.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

5. Senate Bills 2012

SB-64 – Public Safety -Machine Gun Registration – Notice To Renew – SUPPORT

Heard on February 2 at 1:00pm

Requiring the Secretary of State Police, on or before March 15 in each year succeeding the registration of a machine gun, to notify the registrant in writing of the requirement to renew the registration.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-439 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 24, 1:00pm

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

SB-512 - Regulated Firearms – Database – Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements – OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Are Located Here

SB-514 – Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

SB-588- Bow Hunting – Possession of Handguns for Protection – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 28, 1:00pm

Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from restricting licensed bow hunters who are at least 21 years old from carrying a handgun for personal protection.

SB-640 - Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States - OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-803 - Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

SB-815 - Criminal Law – Robbery – Oral Claim of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon – NO POSITION

Hearing Date March 13, 1:00pm

SB-911 – Public Safety – Firearms Regulation by Local Jurisdictions – OPPOSE

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned to Rules Committee

Creating a specified exception to the State preemption of a political subdivision's authority relating to firearms; and authorizing a political subdivision to require a specified person to report the purchase of specified firearms; and authorizing a political subdivision to require a specified report to include specified information.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-916 – Criminal Law – Robbery and Burglary – Pharmacies – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned to Rules Committee

Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.
1332 Cape Saint Claire Road #342
Annapolis, Maryland 21409

410-849-9197

Mission Statement: Maryland Shall Issue is an all volunteer, non-partisan effort dedicated to the preservation and advancement of all gunowners' rights in Maryland, with a primary goal of CCW reform to allow all law-abiding citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon; and to the education of the community to the awareness that 'shall issue' laws have, in all cases, resulted in decreased rates of violent crime.

Maryland Shall Issue Update Feb 13th 2012

MSI Administrator — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:57:02 +0000

In this issue:

1. Trademark
2. Action Needed
3. The Dangers Ahead
4. House Bills 2012
5. Senate Bills 2012

1. Trademark

Maryland Shall Issue® is now a registered trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This gives MSI protections against the use of the organization's name by those not affiliated with the group.

2. Action Needed

MSI depends on you, the membership, to put the action plans that we've provided into effect. Without your boots-on-the-ground involvement, the legislators in Annapolis have no reason to either support pro-gun bills or oppose anti-gun bills.

We've given you all of the information that you need in order to effectively communicate with the members of the General Assembly. It's up to you to decide whether your rights are worth a few minutes of your time to send emails or make phone calls.

Without hearing from you, our friends in Annapolis have little reason to go to bat for you and those on the other side of our issues have little reason to believe that they shouldn't continue with their anti-freedom agenda.

Five minutes a day from every MSI member would make a tremendous difference in the climate of Annapolis. Ask yourself if you've done your part.

3. The Dangers Ahead

While there are numerous pro-gun bills that need your support, as usual we are faced with the necessity of fighting defensively against the anti-gun bills that continually come at us from the General Assembly.

Right now, the two most dangerous bills floating in the legislature are HB-618 and SB-911.

HB-618 authorizes the creation of a mental health task force to examine how to allegedly prevent those with dangerous mental health conditions from getting guns. This "sounds like a good idea" until you realize that they are the ones making up the rules as to what constitutes a disqualifying condition. It's a back door gun grab of the highest order.

SB-911 is the beginning of the end of preemption. Preemption is the doctrine that makes gives the state right to be the ultimate authority on all gun laws. In other words, it protects gun owners from a patchwork of gun laws from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The passage of this bill will be used as justification for all sorts of other local laws. Those of you in Howard County and Montgomery County should pay particularly close attention as Senators Raskin and Frosh are the sponsors of this bill. Your counties would likely be among the first to push for greater restrictions on your rights should preemption be dismantled.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we cannot emphasize strongly enough that you are a vital part of the process in ensuring that your rights are not encroached upon even further than they are. We must continue to fight defensively in the General Assembly now so that we can continue to advance pro-gun measures in the future. Without your persistent and vocal participation, these bills always have a chance of getting legs under them and being sent to the Governor's desk where we know they will be signed.

4. House Bills 2012

HB-45 - Handgun Permits – Qualifications – Presumption and Burden of Proof - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21st, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB -208 - Baltimore City Public School System – Governance – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

HB-209 - Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States - OPPOSE

Hearing Date March 6, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-256 - Regulated Firearms – License Issue By Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia – Reciprocity - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-300 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Renewal Period For Retired law Enforcement - OPPOSE AS WRITTEN

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position statement and action plan can be found here.

HB-379 - Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

HB-396 - Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB-430 -Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirement (Better Maryland – Right of Self Defense) - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-488 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirements - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-527 - Courts – Bankruptcy – Arms - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

Authorizing a person to claim an exemption in specified bankruptcy proceedings for arms in an amount not to exceed $2,000 in value; and applying the Act prospectively.

Position Statement and Action Can Be Found Here

HB-579 - Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB-618 - Task Force to Study Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms - OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-739 - Bow Hunting – Possession of Handguns for Protection - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from restricting licensed bow hunters who are at least 21 years old from carrying a handgun for personal protection.

HB-968 - District Court Commissioners – Possession of Handguns on District Court Premises – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Prohibiting any restriction against a commissioner carrying a handgun on District Court premises if the commissioner has a valid handgun permit.

HB – 1057 - Criminal Law – Robbery – Oral Claim of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB-1066 - Criminal Law – Robbery and Burglary – Pharmacies – NO POSITION

Hearing Date March 6, 1:00pm

HB-1100 - Public Safety – Restrictions on Possession of Firearms – Convicted Felons and People With Mental Disorders - OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

HB-1104 - Criminal Law – Use of Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence – Felony – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Reclassifying as a felony the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or crime of violence.

HB-1113 - Public Safety – Possession of Stolen Regulated Firearms – Felony – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB – 1114 - Dangerous Convicted Offenders Firearm Ban - OPPOSE

Hearing Date, February 21, 1:00pm

HB – 1135 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Qualifications - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

5. Senate Bills 2012

SB-64 - Public Safety -Machine Gun Registration – Notice To Renew - SUPPORT

Heard on February 2 at 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-439 - Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 24, 1:00pm

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

SB-512 - Regulated Firearms – Database – Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements - OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

SB-514 - Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

SB-588- Bow Hunting – Possession of Handguns for Protection - SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 28, 1:00pm

Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from restricting licensed bow hunters who are at least 21 years old from carrying a handgun for personal protection.

SB-640 - Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States - OPPOSE

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-803 - Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 23, 1:00pm

SB-815 - Criminal Law – Robbery – Oral Claim of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon – NO POSITION

Hearing Date March 13, 1:00pm

SB-911 - Public Safety – Firearms Regulation by Local Jurisdictions - OPPOSE

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned to Rules Committee

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-916 - Criminal Law – Robbery and Burglary – Pharmacies – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled – Assigned to Rules Committee

Maryland Shall Issue®, Inc.
1332 Cape Saint Claire Road #342
Annapolis, Maryland 21409
240-446-6782

Mission Statement: Maryland Shall Issue® is an all volunteer, non-partisan effort dedicated to the preservation and advancement of all gunowners' rights in Maryland, with a primary goal of CCW reform to allow all law-abiding citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon; and to the education of the community to the awareness that 'shall issue' laws have, in all cases, resulted in decreased rates of violent crime.

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Maryland Shall Issue Update Feb. 8th 2012

MSI Administrator — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:12:15 +0000

In this issue:

1. The Importance of You
2. House Bills 2012
3. Senate Bills 2012

1. The Importance of You

Maryland Shall Issue's message is only as strong as the membership makes it. As a grassroots organization, we depend on you to amplify our message, both with fellow gun owners but more importantly with our elected officials. We go to great lengths to give you the information that you need to contact your representatives in Annapolis so that they are hearing our side of the issue the loudest and the most often.

Please, take the time to follow the action plans and dedicate just a few minutes a day to communicate our message to the people in Annapolis.

2. House Bills 2012

HB-45 – Handgun Permits – Qualifications – Presumption and Burden of Proof – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21st, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB -208 – Baltimore City Public School System – Governance – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

HB-209 – Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States – OPPOSE

Hearing Cancelled – Not rescheduled

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-256 – Regulated Firearms – License Issue By Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virginia – Reciprocity – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

HB-300 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Renewal Period For Retired law Enforcement – OPPOSE AS WRITTEN

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Establishing that a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following 5 years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of 5 years each if, at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses the qualifications for the issuance of a permit.

Position statement and action plan can be found here.

HB-379 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

HB-396 - Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB-430 -Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirement (Better Maryland – Right of Self Defense) – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-488 – Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirements – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can be Found Here

HB-527 - Courts – Bankruptcy – Arms – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

Authorizing a person to claim an exemption in specified bankruptcy proceedings for arms in an amount not to exceed $2,000 in value; and applying the Act prospectively.

Position Statement and Action Can Be Found Here

HB-579 – Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

HB-618 - Task Force to Study Access of Individuals with Mental Illness to Regulated Firearms – POSITION PENDING

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

3. Senate Bills 2012

SB-64 – Public Safety -Machine Gun Registration – Notice To Renew – SUPPORT

Heard on February 2 at 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-439 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

SB-512 - Regulated Firearms – Database – Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements – OPPOSE

No hearing scheduled

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

SB-514 – Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

SB-588- Bow Hunting – Possession of Handguns for Protection – NO POSITION AT THIS TIME

No Hearing Scheduled

SB-640 - Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States - OPPOSE

No Hearing Scheduled

SB-803 - Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Exemption from Training Course – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

SB-815 - Criminal Law – Robbery – Oral Claim of Possession of a Dangerous Weapon – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.
1332 Cape Saint Claire Road #342
Annapolis, Maryland 21409

240-446-6782

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Maryland Shall Issue Update: Feb 3rd 2012

MSI Administrator — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:06:14 +0000

In this issue:

1. Position Statements and Action Plans
2. House Bills 2012
3. Senate Bills 2012

1. Position Statements and Action Plans

Many of you have been asking for us to format our position statements and action plans in such a way that you could easy print them or share them with others, so we are going to try something different this year. Rather than putting the full information into the text of the email Updates, we are going to provide links to PDFs that you can share as needed.

We hope that this will make it easier for you to craft your own corresponence and to also get more people enaged in the process. It will also have the ancillary benefit of the Updates not being as cluttered.

2. House Bills 2012

HB-45 – Handgun Permits – Qualifications – Presumption and Burden of Proof – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21st, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

HB -208 – Baltimore City Public School System – Governance – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

HB-209 – Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21st, 1:00pm

HB-256 – Regulated Firearms – License Issue By Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virgina – Reciprocity – SUPPORT

No Hearing Scheduled

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

HB-300 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Renewal Period For Retired law Enforcement – OPPOSE AS WRITTEN

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Establishing that a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following 5 years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of 5 years each if, at the time of an application for renewal, the applicant possesses the qualifications for the issuance of a permit.

Position statement and action plan can be found here.

HB-379 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION AT THIS TIME

No Hearing Scheduled

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

HB-396 - Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

HB-430 -Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirement (Better Maryland – Right of Self Defense) – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 21, 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

HB-488 – Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Repeal of Finding Requirements – SUPPORT

No Hearing Scheduled

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

HB-527 - Courts – Bankruptcy – Arms – SUPPORT

Hearing Date February 15, 1:00pm

Authorizing a person to claim an exemption in specified bankruptcy proceedings for arms in an amount not to exceed $2,000 in value; and applying the Act prospectively.

Position Statement and Action Plan Forthcoming

3. Senate Bills 2012

SB-64 – Public Safety -Machine Gun Registration – Notice To Renew – SUPPORT

Heard on February 2 at 1:00pm

Position Statement and Action Plan Can Be Found Here

SB-439 – Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Citations Issued By Inspectors – NO POSITION AT THIS TIME

No Hearing Scheduled

Removing Frederick County from the list of counties whose alcoholic beverages inspectors are prohibited from carrying a weapon when issuing a citation for specified violations.

SB-512 - Regulated Firearms – Database – Applications for Dealer's License – Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements – OPPOSE

No hearing scheduled

We haven't seen the text of this one yet, but it will likely be similar to SB161 from last year. While you're waiting for our position statement and action plan, go and back and revisit some of the fun from last year's House of Delegates hearing on this bill where Delegate Smigiel grilled the representative from the organization formerly known as Ceasefire MD.

SB-514 – Public Safety – Law Enforcement Handgun Disposal – Deceased Officers – NO POSITION
No Hearing Scheduled

Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.
1332 Cape Saint Claire Road #342
Annapolis, Maryland 21409

240-446-6782

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MSI Update – January 30, 2012

MSI Administrator — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:20:52 +0000

In this issue:

1. Open Holster Rally
2. MSI Debuts New Website
3. House Bills 2012
4. Senate Bills 2012

1. Open Holster Rally

Many thanks to those that came out to support the Open Holster Rally and braved the cold to defend the rights of Maryland gun owners. With about 100 in attendance, we would have obviously liked to have seen more but those that came were part of the solution towards reforming Maryland's antiquated and biased policies on the right to self-defense.

Attendees were treated to inspiring words from Charles Lollar, Delegate Mike Smigiel, Delegate Don Dwyer, Jane Weaver of the Second Amendment Sisters and Anne Arundel County Councilman Jerry Walker who outlined many different aspects of the legislative, judicial, social and Constitutional considerations of the right to keep and bear arms effort in Maryland. We thank them all for taking time from their busy schedules to support MSI.

A huge thanks from our whole community goes to the MSI members who stayed in downtown Annapolis all day with their blue shirts on, handing out literature and talking about Maryland's current laws and how out of step the state is compared to the rest of the country.

You can see some pictures of the event by going to our Facebook page at the bottom of this email.

2. MSI Debuts New Website

Please take the time to visit our completely re-vamped webpage at www.marylandshallissue.org

3. House Bills 2012

HB-45 - Handgun Permits – Qualifications – Presumption and Burden of Proof - SUPPORT

No Hearing Scheduled

HB -208 - Baltimore City Public School System – Governance – NO POSITION

HB-209 - Public Safety – Possession of Firearms – Crimes Committed in Other States – NO POSITION

No Hearing Scheduled

This bill modifies HB-241 that passed last year. HB-241 specified that anyone convicted of any of a series of enumerated crimes of violence would be prohibited from owning any firearm. HB-209 extends that to include convictions in other states. We have reservations about how a correlation will be drawn between offenses in other states, where the crime may not be a disqualifying crime, and Maryland code. However, it's likely that the trial attorneys, including many of the members of the General Assembly who are attorneys, are going to put this one to rest and it is better left to them.

HB-256 - Regulated Firearms – License Issue By Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia or West Virgina – Reciprocity - SUPPORT

No Hearing Scheduled

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued to an individual by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia is valid in Maryland.

We'll have more on this bill in the very near future.

HB-300 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Renewal Period For Retired law Enforcement – POSITION PENDING

4. Senate Bills 2012

SB-64 - Public Safety -Machine Gun Registration – Notice To Renew - SUPPORT

Hearing Scheduled for Thursday, February 2 at 1:00pm

Background on this bill:
A person who acquires a machine gun must register the machine gun with the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours after acquiring the machine gun and in each succeeding year during the month of May. The Secretary of State Police is required to prepare and, on request of an applicant, furnish an application form for registration.

What we need you to do:

•Contact the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Dial 1-800-492-7122 + Ext. number

Brian E. Frosh (C) (D)-16 2E Miller Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3124 brian.frosh@senate.state.md.us

Lisa A. Gladden (V-C) (D)-41 2 E Miller Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3697 lisa.gladden@senate.state.md.us

James Brochin (D)-42 221 James Senate Office Bldg
Ext. 3648 jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us

Jennie M. Forehand (D)-17 223 James Senate Office Bldg
Ext. 3134 jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us

Joseph Getty (R)-05 401 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3683 joseph.getty@senate.state.md.us

Nancy Jacobs (R)-34 323 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3158 nancy.jacobs@senate.state.md.us

Victor Ramirez (D)-47 303 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3745 victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us
Jamin B. Raskin (D)-20 122 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3634 jamie.raskin@senate.state.md.us

Christopher Shank (R)-02 402 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3903 christopher.shank@senate.state.md.us

Norman R. Stone, Jr. (D)-06 216 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3587 norman.stone@senate.state.md.us

Bobby Zirkin (D)-11 301 James Senate Office Bldg.
Ext. 3131 bobby.zirkin@senate.state.md.us

•Tell them that this is common sense legislation that protects Maryland citizens who go to extraordinary lengths to comply with both state and federal laws in order to own these firearms.

•Tell them that there is no reason that the Maryland State Police can not manage this from a logistical and fiscal standpoint. There are 928 machine guns registered in the state of Maryland. If the emissions program can send out thousands of reminders every year for the $14 inspection fee, the Maryland State Police can send out 928 reminders.

•Tell them that the cost of sending these reminders is ultimately cheaper than enforcement against those law-abiding Maryland gun owners who forget to mail in their annual registration for their machine guns.

Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.
1332 Cape Saint Claire Road #342
Annapolis, Maryland 21409
240-446-6782

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CCW Holder Displays Restraint in Stopping Crime

MSI Administrator — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:50:18 +0000

Yahoo news reports the story of a citizen from Spartanburg, South Carolina who while legally carrying foiled a robbery at a local restaurant. The citizen attempted to hold the suspects at gun point until the police could arrive, but one suspect pointed his gun (most likely illegally carried) at the citizen who was then forced to fire. The other suspect fled in terror.

Often those who are opposed to the 2nd Amendment argue that the only people who want to carry are blood thirsty psychopathic murders who will kill without hesitation. This story and many others like it that never make the news show that the last thing legally carrying citizens want to do is fire their weapon. They will, however, refuse to be victims. Thanks to this citizen's bravery, the staff and customers of the restaurant were all unharmed. Had this person lived in Maryland, the armed robbers would have been totally unopposed.

MSI store adds Legally Concealed Sticker

MSI Administrator — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:26:34 +0000

Maryland Shall Issue is pleased to offer the Legally Concealed "2" sticker in our store. Get yours today at http://marylandshallissue.org/msi-store/

For more information on the "2" sticker controversy in Baltimore MD, see this Baltimore City Police Bulletin. It is critically important that law enforcement see that legal gun owners are polite, courteous, and of course law-abiding.

Maryland Reporter Carries Podcast of Open Holster Rally

MSI Administrator — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:19:25 +0000

A reporter from the Maryland Reporter (Marylandreporter.com) has posted a podcast detailing his experience at the 5th Open Holster Rally.

Click for Details and Podcast Link.

5th Open Holster Rally A Success!

MSI Administrator — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:30:01 +0000

Maryland Shall Issue held its 5th Open Holster Rally on Lawyers' Mall in Annapolis today. Over 80 members were in attendance to listen to MSI members and delegates from the Maryland General Assembly speak on the topic of the 2nd Amendment. MSI thanks everyone who was able to attend and those who attended in spirit.

5th Open Holster Rally

MSI Administrator — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:21:20 +0000

Join Maryland Shall Issue for its 5th Open Holster Rally on Monday January 16th 2012. The event will be located on Lawyers' Mall in Annapolis Maryland and run from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Holsters MUST BE TOTALLY EMPTY. Come out and remind the Maryland General Assembly that Marylanders demand their rights to self defense and don't want to be victims. For complete details; see our flyer.