Pro CCW Letter in Maryland Newspaper

[DelayedReaction]

Thought you guys might enjoy this. The Diamondback is the student newspaper for the University of Maryland. On Friday they had an article about students taking aikido for self defense, despite the fact that Maryland has the highest armed robbery rate in the country. So I wrote them a letter about it, and amazingly enough they published it.

Check it out here.
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/19/432e950e2dadc

The responses should be interesting.

Self-defense efforts, aikido won’t stop someone armed with a gun

Friday’s article on students taking aikido for self-defense was great. I think it’s fantastic that some are taking the initiative to learn to protect themselves, but that isn’t going to do much against a guy with a gun. Knowing this, millions of Americans have turned to legally carrying concealed firearms. Thirty-seven states are “right to carry” states, meaning they have laws enabling most citizens to defend themselves. Maryland is not one of them, it and restricts conceal-carry permits to people with political connections and those with extraordinary needs.

A survey by the Department of Justice found 40 percent of the incarcerated inmates interviewed had decided against committing a crime out of fear the potential victim was armed. Most compelling, the 1992 FBI Crime Report stated, “Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense.”

Despite having some of the toughest gun control laws in the country, Maryland also has some of the highest crime rates. Every state surrounding us has far more liberal levels of gun control, and yet their crime rates are far lower. In contrast, the District of Columbia has an outright ban on the possession of firearms by most individuals, and the city repeatedly wins the title of “Murder Capital of America.”

Maryland does issue conceal carry permits, but it is impossible for a regular person to get one. If you think this is wrong, check out Maryland Shall Issue (www.marylandshallissue.org). MSI is a grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the right to self-defense in Maryland. Until Marylanders have the right to carry the same tools as criminals, students interested in self-defense might as well learn Tae Bo.

Kevin Genson
Graduate Student
Mechanical Engineering

Incidentally, the grammatical errors aren't my fault. They edited it a little bit (nothing major, just took out the thing about Maryland being #1 in armed robbery, #2 in murder, and #3 in violent crime in 2002).

 

[dk-corriveau]

Great letter. I am amazed it got published.

 

[Janitor]

I'm surprised (and glad) that your letter got published.

Props for getting the URL for MSI into the paper too!

check out Maryland Shall Issue (www.marylandshallissue.org). MSI is a grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the right to self-defense in Maryland.

Great!

 

[Spot77]

(nothing major, just took out the thing about Maryland being #1 in armed robbery, #2 in murder, and #3 in violent crime in 2002).

I disagree; we need to hammer that point home every chance we get.

Great job Kevin. Keep at it, and let us know how we can help you.

The University is an excellent place to begin changing the brainwashed minds of adults.

 

[NineseveN]

Good Job!

 

[DelayedReaction]

I disagree; we need to hammer that point home every chance we get.

Absolutely, but given that the choice wasn't mine to make I'm just happy they left most of the letter alone.

I'm hoping that this will stir up a bit of a hornet's nest around here. From what I understand there's a professor at UMD in the Comp Sci department who's active within the Maryland pro gun groups, but I don't remember his name. I recall he was one of the guys who opposed MSI's activities last year.

 

[Norton]

Kevin,

Congrats on getting the letter published. I agree that our universities are the perfect places to be winning hearts and minds.

The PIQ (professor in question) is Jim Purtilo.

 

[Cacique500]

Great job Kevin and congrats on getting the letter published!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well said!

 

[johnmcl]

Nice Job

Kevin,

That's very articulate for a M.E. .... *laffin*. Seriously though, you have constructed a well thought out element of logical debae. I only wish the liberals would debate the viability of ideas as you did, rather than viability of people.

Keep up the good work,

John (EE)

 

[DelayedReaction]

That's very articulate for a M.E. .... *laffin*.

Yeah. Turns out if you hit the keyboard enough times, it makes words.

 

[DelayedReaction]

I got a few comments online, and I responded to them via e-mail. I figured you guys would appreciate the comments and my replies.

First one is from a student named Ed.

Kevin,

Numerous studies have shown that concealed carry laws do indeed reduce violent crime and that gun offenses among holders of weapon permits are extremely low, but I think that the key to avoiding becoming a victim of violent crime is more about making good decisions. Avoid going to ATM's really late at night, getting totally drunk in uncontrolled situations like college parties, or walking around at night by yourself. If people wouldn't behave stupidly in the first place, a lot of violent crime could be avoided.

Also, I think that the responsibility of having a concealed carry permit is to be taken extremely seriously, and one has to realize that just because you might have a gun on you doesn't mean that it is a good idea to use it, even against someone who is in the act of commiting a crime. Is it right to shoot some 14-year-old kid who you catch stealing a radio from your car? Does the risk of a potentially fatal escalation of the incident even make it worth it to pull your gun?

Ed
Student
College Park

I definitely agree that paying attention and acting smart are critically important. Not allowing yourself to be surprised is extremely important.

I also agree with your statements regarding the responsibility of carrying a concealed firearm. I'm part of a large community online that has many active individuals who conceal carry, and the one thing they all stress is responsibility and safety. The possession of a deadly weapon is not something to be taken lightly, and you will be hard pressed to find someone who has a CCW permit and does not respect that responsibility. One saying that is commonly uttered is "Carrying concealed means you lose the right to protect your pride." People who conceal carry must have mastered when it is and is not appropriate to draw their weapon.

You will never hear a CCW instructor recommend you brandish a weapon, or draw on someone you do not intend to immediately kill. Maryland law is extremely explicit about when deadly force is authorized; it is only for self defense. That means you must feel the aggressor has displayed means and intent to kill you, and you must be in fear of your life. Furthermore, Maryland law requires you to make all reasonable efforts to escape first. Obviously you can't run from a gun, but that means you can't shoot someone you could reasonably get away from.

So in the example you provided, the gun should never leave the holster. Frankly the kid should never know you're armed, nor should he be confronted. If I saw a kid robbing my car, I would call the cops and stay out of sight. It's just stuff, and not worth my life.

Having the ability to conceal carry means giving people the option to use deadly force. It doesn't mean they have to use it.

I hope this addresses your concerns; please let me know if you have any further questions or comments. I'll be happy to talk.

Second one is from another student named Michael.

Quite frankly, it scares me that people actually believe that carrying concealed weapons will help reduce crime. Call me crazy, but I feel like if anything it would do the exact opposite. Having spent the last three years living in College Park, I'm more than aware of the prevalent violent crime that students have to worry about on a daily basis. However, I've found the best way to avoid being a victim of a criminal act is to use your head, not carry a gun. For example, walking alone at night is pretty much asking for trouble, and can easily be avoided by walking in groups. How often do you get a crime alert email that says 4 students were held up at knife point? - not often, if ever. Being smart and not putting yourself in a risky situation is the best way to help reduce the crime problem. Carrying around a concealed gun is only going to lead to more dangerous situations involving students and residents with itchy trigger fingers. I've seen what this city looks like on a Saturday night, and I've seen what some intoxicated kids do for kicks. The thought of those same kids packing heat makes me want to stay home with the doors locked and hope stray bullets don't find their way through my window.

Michael
Student
University View

I appreciate your concern regarding the seriousness about concealed carry, and it's one that many people share. I agree that there are many people out there who should not possess firearms, and a great many of them happen to bar hop on Saturday nights. However, those concerns should be alleviated by examining the facts. Thirty six states currently possess conceal carry laws similar to what I propose, and none of them have seen the kind of activity that is feared by you and others. Florida actually engaged in a study to track the criminal actions of those who had CCW permits; it was dropped after a few years because the numbers were low enough to be statistically insignificant. Furthermore, most states make it illegal to possess a firearm while intoxicated, and many ban the possession of a firearm inside a bar. Finally, since most of the students are under 21, they would not be able to legally possess a handgun in the first place.

I agree that reducing crime starts by acting smart, and it's very important that you keep an eye on your surroundings so you aren't surprised. But consider a series of armed robberies that took place in University Courtyards in January. There were four armed robberies within the space of a few weeks, including one that occured in broad daylight. A few months earlier, eight people waiting at the ShuttleUM metro station were held up and robbed by two men. In both cases the victims were not acting in an unsafe manner, yet they were robbed. There is a very real and grave danger that surrounds our campus at all hours of the day, and it's important to be aware and prepared for it.

The most important thing to realize is that carrying a concealed firearm does not mean you are required to use it. Instructors emphasize that drawing and firing your weapon is a last resort, something to be done only when your life is in imminent danger. It provides an option that would not otherwise be there, an option that is sorely needed in this state.

I haven't received any violent hate mail yet, and actually got a vote of support from a fellow graduate student. I'm extremely happy with the approach the students are taking, with discussions of concerns instead of fear-based ranting.

Tommorrow's newspaper should prove interesting. Hopefully they published a response letter from someone.

 

[AndrewB]

Until Marylanders have the right to carry the same tools as criminals, students interested in self-defense might as well learn Tae Bo.

Unfortunately this is exactly the attitude of a lot of MD people I talk to. They seem think owning a gun will suddenly turn law-abiding citizens into trigger-happy thugs. I have a few friends who are ardently pro RKBA and we do our part by writing to our reps. We are all students of varying degrees (with one who just graduated law school) and are no strangers to presenting our case in a professional manner.

That was a very well-presented argument in your letter and its a shame that they chose to censor some of your more striking points. Still, I think it got the message across loud and clear. If people respond to it, good. Maybe it will bring some publicity to our cause and give us a chance to present our arguments in a more public arena.

Ironically I don't even own a gun myself, but I came to this forum hoping to learn more about becoming a gun owner. I plan on being a regular poster and hope I can make a positive contribution.

Andrew

 

[chaim]

but I came to this forum hoping to learn more about becoming a gun owner.

You are in the right place. Also, there are a bunch of MD gunowners on this board. We have fairly regular group shoots. Come join us, you don't need to have a gun, there will be plenty of people happy to let you shoot theirs (especially if you bring ammo in their guns' calibers ). Heck, PM me or others here from MD (I can't speak for others, but you can always ask them) and ask us to take you shooting when you are ready to start learning. I'm always happy to bring out a new shooter.

 

[AndrewB]

Excellent. I will definitely take you up on that offer. Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Norton]

but I came to this forum hoping to learn more about becoming a gun owner

Andrew,

+1 on Chaim's comment.

If you want to really learn more about firearms, first pull up a chair and watch the posts around here. There is more cumulative knowledge on this board than you could absorb in two lifetimes.

Secondly, check out this thread to see when the next group shoot is planned. You can try out more firearms in one day and receive more tips than you could in 5 trips to the rental range.

Welcome aboard

 

[DelayedReaction]

Andrew,

I've taken a bunch of people shooting for the first time, and I'd be happy to extend the offer to you as well.

 

[ScottsGT]

One small point you are forgetting though. You are on a Campus. You will not be allowed to carry while on the property of the University. Criminals will know this too. I have a permit, and cannot carry since I work at a university.
I don't even take the chance of keeping one in the car, since, 1) I drive a convertible and it can EASILY be broken into. and 2) If it were stolen, I would HAVE to report it incase it was used in a crime. Next question they would ask me, "So you had a gun on campus?" I'd lose my job, my 4 kids would go hungry. If I die from not being armed, I have a big life insurance pay off and the kids get fat!
Please, no one tell this to my kids!
BTW, GREAT letter, and we really appreciate you taking the time with the sheep that believe the media hype.

 

[Spot77]

we really appreciate you taking the time with the sheep that believe the media hype.

I see that as being part of the big picture.....educating the sheeple here in Maryland about everything to do with firearms, not just ccw.

Even if some of the people his letter reaches disagree, they'll see that one or more of their peers is a gun owner and not ashamed of it.

ANY positive print we get can have an effect on the naysayers....just keep chipping away a little at a time

 

[haole_boySS]

Great letter, congrats on getting it published. UM is not the safest place around, I have to drive thru there everyday on my way to work.

Anyway, where do the rest of you MD'ers shoot on a regular basis? I dont shoot as much as I would like to and would much rather go with a few people.

Chaim? Spott? where do you guys shoot?

Andy

 

[DelayedReaction]

I should regularly at OnTarget, finances permitting.

One small point you are forgetting though. You are on a Campus. You will not be allowed to carry while on the property of the University. Criminals will know this too. I have a permit, and cannot carry since I work at a university.
I don't even take the chance of keeping one in the car, since, 1) I drive a convertible and it can EASILY be broken into. and 2) If it were stolen, I would HAVE to report it incase it was used in a crime. Next question they would ask me, "So you had a gun on campus?" I'd lose my job, my 4 kids would go hungry. If I die from not being armed, I have a big life insurance pay off and the kids get fat!
Please, no one tell this to my kids!
BTW, GREAT letter, and we really appreciate you taking the time with the sheep that believe the media hype.

Actually, you can carry at a Maryland University assuming you're not a student. Section 4-102b of the Annotated Code of Maryland only applies to primary and secondary schools, not places of higher education. At least that's how I (and a lawyer I contacted) interpreted it.

The Code of Student Conduct prevents weapons on campus, which is just silly considering that it technically bans the possession of kitchen knives in on-campus apartments.

 

[Stauble]

great letter

its good to be in Dixie where we dont have to worry bout that
sorry to rub it in

 

[Norton]

Anyway, where do the rest of you MD'ers shoot on a regular basis?

If you promise to let me handle that Springfield TRP I'll tell 'ya

But seriously, , several of us have memberships at On Target in Severn. Lately, Spot77 and I have been talking up Elk Neck in Cecil County. We also head over to Hap Baker in Westminster occasionally.

Hopefully you can join us for the next get together.

 

[haole_boySS]

where is OnTarget?

 

[Spot77]

www.ontargetdot.com

Not a great website, but it has all the info you'll need.


Seems like we're getting a lot of new Southern Maryland members here......

I may try to get over to On Target Thursday night for a bit.