Marylanders, Your Opinions Please?

[Spot77]

If there was one Maryland gun law (no federal NFA, GCA, FOPA, etc) that you would like to see passed or repealed in the next legislative session, what would it be?

Try to contemplate the realities of it's passage, the support it might gain (with the general public and in the legislature), and the popularity of the bill so that all gun rights groups could support it and work together on it.


So if all the money we've been sending to various gun rights groups could be directed at ONE issue next session, what would you like it to be?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I find many of them a pain. However, I think a honest Shall Issue CCW would go a long way for me.

If I'm off track let me know and I'll sort through the others that drive me crazy

 

[Spot77]

Dang you're fast! You posted before I could even complete the poll!

BTW, this is just for informational purposes. I doubt any of the established gun rights groups will have their agendas altered by whatever comes of this.

So have at it. I'd love to hear what everybody is thinking these days.

 

[MikeH]

I had a hard time deciding between shall-issue CCW and loosening the transportation law. Finally voted for the latter because I think it has a better chance of going through.

 

[K-Romulus]

"Want" vs. "need"

I voted for the CCW law because a CCW would nullify the transport law's problems (IMHO, at least).

However, the CCW law is a long shot, sad to say.

I guess in the view of the "glass-half-empty" MD politics reality, the BF repeal is the one with the best chance of passing, and would have the most positive effect for the average MD'r.

 

[jrhines]

The BF law has little or no effect on MD gun owners

And before you spin up, read the law:
ATF Pub 5300.5, Aug 2005
"State Laws & Published Ordinances - Firearms", 2005-26th Ed.
Maryland
page 205
Title 5. Firearms
Subtitle 1. Regulated Firearms
5-131 Handgun ID requirements
(a)Definitions

If you can't find this, PM me with your phone number and I'll call you and we'll talk. (This offer is good for Md residents only!)

 

[jrhines]

Oh - Loosen up the transportation laws

I forgot, my vote would be loosen up the transport laws. That would allow us to stop for dinner with friends after a match, stop for milk on the way home from the range, etc. Also more likely to get passed than a CCW.

 

[K-Romulus]

BF vs. "Integrated Mechanical Safety Device"

I guess I was thinking more of the "integrated mechanical safety device" nonsense problem rather than than BF in terms of hassle. Both are stupid.

The way I read the text of the laws on both, it seemed that if a handgun came from a factory (new or certified pre-owned/refurbished) after Jan. 1, 2002 then both laws needed to be met before it could be transferred by a dealer. But that's my non-MD-lawyer reading.

JRhines explained to me last year that the MSP are apparently being generous right now and are not seeing the laws the same way as I did when it came to "used" handguns. The current Handgun Roster Board has also been generous enough to allow the Intralock to qualify as an IMSD.

Will this generosity continue after the upcoming November state elections, or in four years after the next round of state elections?

 

[MikeK]

Tough choices. I went with the no confiscation. Reasoning:

CCW, much as I'd like to see it, has about zero chance of passing. If O'Malley gets in then the chances are even less and we'll be fighting to just keep any handguns or 'assault' weapons.

Stops - I do occasionally stop enroute from the range for drive-thru food, beer, gas etc. I don't worry about it and unless I did something really stupid the chances of getting caught are remote and actually being prosecuted are even slimmer. There have been discussions of this before and I don't think the wording is that strict.

Castle doctrine - Discussed before. After consulting with by attorney brother - as long as you are in fear of great harm you're OK. Not that it wouldn't be a hassle defending against the 'victim's' family.

BF - I agree with jrhines.

 

[Spot77]

I had a hard time deciding between shall-issue CCW and loosening the transportation law. Finally voted for the latter because I think it has a better chance of going through.

This is something that I REALLY wanted last year, and politics aside, it seemed like a no-brainer for a NORMAL general assembly to pass. I had good testimony on it since I'm a diabetic and NEED to stop to eat or take insulin.

As hard as I lobby for ccw, I personally would like to see the trans. laws fixed first.

Stops - I do occasionally stop enroute from the range for drive-thru food, beer, gas etc. I don't worry about it and unless I did something really stupid the chances of getting caught are remote and actually being prosecuted are even slimmer. There have been discussions of this before and I don't think the wording is that strict.

I would agree with you except for the situations beyond your control. Like if your car gets stolen with your firearms in it. I think the media would have such a field day with it that the police would have to charge you. And don't forget abut Glenn Ivey in PG County wanting the maximum penalty for EVERY crime involving a firearm.

Great points made on all choices so far.

 

[roscoe]

CCW all the way!

 

[Norton]

I put in for the transport law repeal. It's achievable in the near term and is clearly one which punishes only the lawful firearms owner. Besides.....those long rides back from the rifle ranges that also allow handguns seem to get longer and longer as I get older. I NEED to stop.....

 

[Phetro]

"Concealed Carry Permits"

How about CARRY PERMITS? There is more to life and liberty than concealing one's firearm in shame/fear/"tactical interests."

For that matter, how about restoring the state to the USA and getting some Vermont-style freedom?

 

[ApexinM3]

As much as I'd like to see CCW shall issue get passed, I think it has a snowballs chance in H**l. :banghead:

So with that, I would settle for relaxed transportation laws. I don't like the idea that I can't stop by to pick up a bite to eat while on the way home. Or a six pack of beer..and maybe a cigar just to complete the BATFE circle. Come to think of it, BATFE should be a convenience store...

The fired casing law is easily by-passed; the weapon (if I understand correctly) is considered used & therefore not obligated to comply with BF proceedure if it is registered out-of-state first. IANAL, so before anybody quotes me on that, they may want to check up first.

 

[one45auto]

I'd like the Maryland General Assembly to put forth in law that my life is just as worthy an item to protect as a jeweler's hoard or a businessman's cash pot.

 

[EShell]

I voted CCW, since I consider it to be the critical issue.
Do another poll if you want to rate them on the basis of likelihood of being passed.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I didn't vote on the likelihood of anything passing, but what I wanted to see changed.

If I had a permit then the transportation issue would seem to be dead. Therefore, you fix 2 stupid laws at one time.

I have less than one year left here! Starting the short-timer's calender already

 

[Archangel]

CCW.


Having the ability to actually defend myself on a daily basis trumps whatever legal protections I might get out of the other laws. You can only prosecute me for some technical offense if I'm alive to do so.

 

[SB88LX]

For the love of GOD, CCW. Statewide, no township/city exemptions.

 

[Jim K]

One45auto, the jeweler is probably a liberal who contributes to Democratic party candidates, so you better believe his life is far more important than yours.

I would like to see a repeal of the 20 round mag limit because it is the most likely to trap innocent people. I recently saw a 30 round STEN gun magazine at a yard sale. The woman in charge had no idea what it was, or that it even had anything to do with guns, yet she could have gone to prison for even offering it for sale.

Next would come the "ballistic fingerprint" law, but as soon as repeal would seem likely, the state will again frame some guy on fake "fingerprint" evidence and repeal will go down the drain.

Last, because I consider it least likely to pass, would be a shall-issue CCW law. In the same way, if it looked like having a chance, the MD anti-gun gang would hire some turkey to shoot up the town.

(I still think the "beltway snipers" were hired to put Ms. Townsend in the governor's office; the fact that it didn't work doesn't mean the antis won't try the same tactic again.)

Jim

 

[cslinger]

CCW as I hate having to unload in VA when driving home to MD. Castle doctrine was a close second though.

I fall into the sort of a Marylander bucket.

 

[American By Blood]

Obviously I'd like to see all of the issues tackled.

However, I had to cast my vote for CCW. I'm a Baltimoron. There's no such thing as a safe neighborhood in this town and carrying should therefore be universal among the law-abiding populace.

That said, I don't think any of the subjects will be taken on in a meaningful fashion. If O'Malley gets elected we'll be immediately placed on the defensive. He knows who butters his soda bread and he'll act accordingly. Ehrlich winning the race would mean four more years of us telling ourselves we have a governor who cares about RKBA while Wal-Mart, slots, and pretending that Baltimore's schools can be helped dominate the agenda.

 

[DavyR]

Contemplating "realities of passage" and "possible public support", I voted for Castle Doctrine. CCW would be great, but with the current crop of pols and the control Baltimore City and Montgomery Cty have over the state right now, it isn't going to happen.:banghead: At least freedom from having to defend yourself in court after physically defending yourself would be a relief, and the fingerprint thing is being ignored as too stupid. In a perfect world...

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Transportation laws.
There is a better way to go about this guys, convince Democrats to go republicans. There has gotta be a way!:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[HerrWolfe]

Marylander only when visiting my daughter, and I get rather disgusted at having to remove my clips and lock them up separately from my pistols, just to satisfy the MD lawmakers who declare we don't care about your rights. I can only imagine what a native Marylander must feel. Therefore, the CCW, so reciprocity can take place, sometime/somehow.