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Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Important 2nd Amendment Legislation

Sorry this is a few days late but, better late than never. I apologise if this is a duplicate of an earlier post

In MD:

Two important pieces of pro-gun legislation were heard on Tuesday, February 24 in the House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 470 would repeal 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. HB 470 is a bi-partisan bill that will ensure Maryland citizens are afforded the right to self-defense enjoyed by citizens in 40 other states.

House Bill 682 would require that the Secretary of State Police issue a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun within a reasonable time to a person who has successfully completed the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program of the Transportation Security Administration.

In D.C.

Fairfax, Va. - The United States Senate has voted, with overwhelming bipartisan support, to adopt an amendment offered by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) that seeks to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens in the District of Columbia. The amendment, attached to S.160, the D.C. Voting Rights Act, will repeal restrictive gun control laws passed by the District of Columbia's (D.C.) city council after the landmark D.C. v. Heller Supreme Court decision. The vote margin was 62-36.

"Today's vote [Friday, Feb 27th] brings us one step closer to restoring the Second Amendment freedom of law-abiding D.C. residents," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "It's ludicrous that good people in our nation's capital continue to be harassed as they try to defend themselves and their loved ones in their own homes. This vote reinforces the historic Heller ruling."

After the Heller ruling, the D.C. city council passed a law requiring would-be gun owners to pay a registration fee, pass a 20-question multiple choice test, take a five-hour training course, undergo an invasive background check every six years, re-register any firearm every three years, and finally, submit all handguns for ballistics testing. Current D.C. law also bans an overwhelming majority of firearms commonly used for self-defense. This Ensign Amendment would also remedy that unjust practice.

"NRA would like to thank the lead sponsor, Sen. John Ensign for his efforts to reform D.C.'s gun laws and enable folks to protect their property and their loved ones," concluded Cox. "It's time for leaders in Washington to wake up to the fact that the Supreme Court decision is now the law of the land."

Source 1

Source 2

UPDATE:

If you live in Worcester or Wicomico Co. and wish to have you voice heard contact your Delegates Norman Conway and Jim Mathais. For Somerset it is Page Elmore.

You State Senators are Richard Colburn and Lowell Stoltzfus.

More info at the General Assembly homepage.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

easier to get a permit in maryland?

i never thought id see the day.
if it passes i will be one of the first ones in line

Anonymous said...

It's the right thing to do. Look at the statistics. Every state that has repealed laws prohibiting people from carrying concealed handguns for self defense has enjoyed a DROP in violent crime. I don't see how anyone can believe that removing a method you would use to defend yourself can make you safer.
I remember a neighborhood meeting attended by Captain Mike Elliot of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office at the Mobile Home Park on Walston Switch Rd. just before the last election. Mike Lewis, candidate for Sheriff was also present. The question was raised about the right to shoot someone who has broken into your home at night. Elliot stammered around the point stating that the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office does not condone violence and that the best thing to do would be to go to a safe place in your house, call the Sheriff's Office and wait for them to arrive. Mike Lewis stood up and disagreed. His statement was "If someone breaks into your house in the middle of the night, you shoot to kill!" He indicated that it was not the right thing to do to just wait and hope an intruder doesn't kill you or a member of your family. The same rings true if your are walking down the street and you're accosted by one or more thugs threatening to kill you for your money. Even if you give it to them they may still shoot you. Ask Ted Shea.

Imagine the twist the story would have taken if several of those people in the hijacked planes on 9/11 were armed. Armed teachers in Columbine. Va. Tech. Open your eyes folks. Your govt. has created potential victims of us all by hindering our right to defend ourselves. CALL YOUR DELEGATES. CALL YOUR SENATORS. WE MUST GET THIS PASSED.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this Two Sentz. I never thought I would see something like this from you.

Anonymous said...

Its a step in the right direction, I thought liberals wanted to take our guns? Having a change of heart are you two/cents? Couple more months and youll be sporting a Reagan shirt,huh. (Just kidding).

Anonymous said...

Are there delegates or senators that we should contact. I sure hope that ours vote in favor of this. We will all be safer if it passes even if we choose not to carry.

Anonymous said...

This highlights exactly how important it was to have George Bush in the White House for 8 years.

Were it not for his Supreme Court appointments, we'd probably be singing a different tune.

Anonymous said...

alot of people dont know who to call or email....perhaps alittle guidance with post like this would help alot?

Anonymous said...

The comment does not surprse me in least about one of Mike lewis' Command staff not being on the same page as he, when he started. That was then this is now. They have shaped up nicely. Funny some people are just chamealons. I guess riding the wave even when you dont like to surf is A O.K. for some.

If they come in your house kill them. There is no reason other than to hurt you or one of your loved ones.

No one should EVER carry a loaded gun while Drunk. I think we have learned from some public officials that is a legal and ethical No NO. I know two that have lost my vote due to their lack of good judgement.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Two Sentz said...

OK, I updated the post with some contact information for those that requested it.

Anonymous said...

12:56 said "Look at the statistics. Every state that has repealed laws prohibiting people from carrying concealed handguns for self defense has enjoyed a DROP in violent crime."

But an increase in total gun deaths. What's the goal?

(Remember that 90% of all gun deaths are family and friends.)

Anonymous said...

I hope it does pass, but in democrat controlled maryland don't count on it, I will never vote democrat again, they have become a bunch of pansies.

Anonymous said...

How in the h#ll do you go to a safe place in your house and call the police when some dirtball has broken in on you and threatens you with bodily harm? Who ever thought that one up must be a democrat.

Hannibal138 said...

This certainly was a surprise to read about. This is probably one of only a handful of positions that the repubs have the dems beat hands down on.
This might just be a ploy to gain support for repubs in md, would be difficult to pass in md (since it is heavily dem). But as violent crime gets worse, alot more people are becoming more interested in this topic.

Go on wiki and look at the duty to retreat laws in md, insane.
I guess my interpretation of the 2nd amendment means that you can protect yourself while in your house as well anywhere else.

Everyone make sure to call your representatives and tell them to support this. Concealed carry in md who would thought it. Alot of dem voters will switch sides because of this issue. I know I have.

Excellent post btw...

-Hannibal138

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:18 pm

That would be like telling a police officer to retreat to a safe place because if not, he/she could be locked up for failing to obey the law for not seeking safety, now that is frightening. If the founding fathers of this country had any inkling of what the laws stated these days, they would roll over in their graves. I will keep my money,guns and freedom,you keep the change.

Wymzie said...

Two Sentz,

I'm proud of you! My letters to all of my reps are signed sealed and delivered!