http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/ma...nd-gun-carry-permits-20120724,0,7660075.story
"In two weeks, the Maryland State Police must stop denying gun carry permits to applicants who don’t present a “good and substantial reason” for wearing a firearm, according to a federal court ruling handed down late Monday.
The ruling loosens restrictions governing gun possession on the state’s streets and is expected to significantly widen the pool of people carrying firearms.
U.S. District Court Judge Benson E. Legg struck down the “good and substantial” requirement as unconstitutional in a March ruling, but temporarily delayed implementation of his decision to consider whether it should be stayed for a longer period pending an appeal by the state’s attorney general’s office.
But in an eight-page memorandum signed Monday, Legg determined that there was no basis for a stay and issued an order dissolving the temporary delay effective 14 days later..."
"The federal decision struck down that requirement and effectively shifted Maryland to a “shall issue” policy, like a majority of states, which automatically issue gun-carry permits once basic safety conditions are met."
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All I can say is it's about time. Finally citizens throughout the State, and Baltimore City in particular, will be able to shoot back when threatened with murder, rape and armed robbery and not have to fear arrest for a "wear, carry, transport" charge. Hopefully the Court will uphold Judge Legg's ruling when Maryland's appeal is heard.
"In two weeks, the Maryland State Police must stop denying gun carry permits to applicants who don’t present a “good and substantial reason” for wearing a firearm, according to a federal court ruling handed down late Monday.
The ruling loosens restrictions governing gun possession on the state’s streets and is expected to significantly widen the pool of people carrying firearms.
U.S. District Court Judge Benson E. Legg struck down the “good and substantial” requirement as unconstitutional in a March ruling, but temporarily delayed implementation of his decision to consider whether it should be stayed for a longer period pending an appeal by the state’s attorney general’s office.
But in an eight-page memorandum signed Monday, Legg determined that there was no basis for a stay and issued an order dissolving the temporary delay effective 14 days later..."
"The federal decision struck down that requirement and effectively shifted Maryland to a “shall issue” policy, like a majority of states, which automatically issue gun-carry permits once basic safety conditions are met."
_______________________
All I can say is it's about time. Finally citizens throughout the State, and Baltimore City in particular, will be able to shoot back when threatened with murder, rape and armed robbery and not have to fear arrest for a "wear, carry, transport" charge. Hopefully the Court will uphold Judge Legg's ruling when Maryland's appeal is heard.
