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Saturday, April 16, 2016

Hogan And Guns

When he was running for governor, Larry Hogan talked about guns and gun control about as little as possible. When his opponents in the Republican primary espoused full-throated support for an absolutist interpretation of the Second Amendment, he talked about the need to keep guns away from those with mental illness. When his Democratic opponent in the general election started running attack ads against him featuring images of assault rifles on a playground and in a shopping cart, Mr. Hogan reiterated a promise not to try to overturn the state's gun laws and then changed the subject back to taxes and the economy.

But for those who reject the gun lobby's rhetoric that a heavily armed society is a safe one, there was some cause for doubt. During the campaign, the Washington Post reported on gun activists' claims that Mr. Hogan had given them private assurances that he would loosen Maryland's standards for issuing concealed-carry permits, and Mr. Hogan refused repeated requests to release the questionnaire he filled out for the National Rifle Association, which endorsed him and gave him an A- rating.

In December, Mr. Hogan was asked by a caller during an appearance on WBAL-AM's C4 show whether he would loosen the restrictions on the issuance of concealed-carry permits for handguns. Maryland not only requires applicants to pass a background check but also that they demonstrate a "good and substantial" reason for carrying a weapon outside the home. Mr. Hogan said his goal was to make it harder for criminals and the mentally ill to possess handguns but easier for everyone else. He bragged that 95 percent of those who applied to the state police for concealed-carry permits were getting them (others questioned that statistic) but lamented that while his administration was "trying to do what we can to make improvements," he was constrained by the legislature. "The law is the law," he said.

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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yep. This is the issue I have not seen action from Hogan. Time for him to get off the pot and correct unconstitutional laws. The Sun... ha!

Anonymous said...

I have to laugh when I keep seeing issues about taking our guns away. It ain't gonna happen people. This is nothing more than a food for the media.
I would really like to see them try this , we , the people have the largest army in the world , consisting of over 100,000,000 gun owners.
If one percent of these people choose to defend their right it's still twice as large as our military . Obama , you da man!

Anonymous said...

Maryland has good sense gun laws absolutely no reason to loosen them.
Open carry is stupid.

Anonymous said...

You are a sheep. Go back to the flock.

Anonymous said...

The average law abiding citizen cannot get a concealed carry permit and that is the problem. There is simply no reason that anyone that passes a background check should not be able to get a Concealed carry permit but that is not the way it is. 43 other states allow CC with no reason, the good and substantial reason is the problem in Maryland and Hogan should do all that he can to change that.

Anonymous said...

Md has to eliminate the "Good and Substantial Reason". This gives them the power to be Judge and Jury on their decisions. We already have to go through a background check and fingerprints for an HQL license to purchase. That should reject ones that do not qualify. It is just a repeat process and more money for the State.

Anonymous said...

When I applied , a state trooper did the interview and his decision was final , they do it at the sheriffs office on Naylor Mill Road.
It was a real joke , king trooper .
My background check was perfect . It cost about $200.00 when it's finally done.