Some say that Maryland's present system for issuing handgun permits is adequate.
Are they right?
- Almost 29% of all permits are issued to police officers. However, in July of 2004, federal legislation (HR 218) was signed into law allowing both active and retired police officers to carry a concealed firearm for protection while off duty in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The permits issued to most of these officers are no longer really needed.
- Over 37% of all permits are issued to corrections officers, security guards, private detectives, judges, bail bondsmen and others working in areas of government, security or the judicial system.
- Nearly 32% of all permits are issued to business people who deal with a lot of cash.
- Just 1.7 percent of all permits are issued to people for personal protection. Only 661 permits in a state with a population of 5.6 million. That’s just one permit issued for every 8,473 people!
- Delaware also has a discretionary, may-issue permit system, but they issue one permit for every 767 people. You are more than 11 times more likely to get a permit in Delaware than in Maryland.
- Alabama has a similar discretionary permit system but rarely disapproves objectively qualified candidates.
MSI is proud to provide a break down of the information in PDF Form.
