The Maryland AWB of 2007

[kingpin008]

K-Romulus - Got the same one, huh? Dangit.

Well, I'll still write back to him and point out a few things.

Any idea what's up with the PIA I got back? Like I said, I made a point to change the dates but it seems that it's been altered back to the originals in order to fit into the "mass email" group.

 

[Norton]

kingpin,

I would say that you should call his office and explain in no uncertain terms that your request was not part of the AGC request and you will not accept the form letter from the AG's office.

 

[kingpin008]

Fair enough. I was hoping there was something along the lines of them falsifying the document I could nail them on, but I'm assuming that'd be too difficult to prove/charge them with/generally get them in trouble for?

 

[Norton]

kingpin,

You'll notice in that form letter that the peon who wrote it made sure to mention their privilege to lie as much as they want. :banghead: Which I could get some sort of blanket immunity like that.

 

[MDHunter]

Gettin CLOSE...

Sending a letter tonite (to follow earlier emails) to ALL the Judicial Proceedings Review Committee members...for those who haven't written yet due to time constraints, here's another offer to cut and paste:

February 21, 2007


The Honorable ____________
_________________________
_________________________


Dear Senator _____:

I’m writing to request that you NOT support SB 43, the Maryland Assault Weapon Ban of 2007. This is clearly an example of feel-good legislation, and has no place in the crowded legislative agenda Governor O’Malley highlighted in his first State of the State address.

A task force of 14 experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) spent three years reviewing 51 different studies to conclude there was no evidence any gun control laws were effective. They did conclude they needed more money to study it further. Source: http:⁄⁄www.cdc.gov⁄od⁄oc⁄media⁄transcripts⁄t031002.htm. A Department of Justice study initiated during the Clinton Administration also found no evidence that gun control legislation is effective in reducing violent crime, and an FBI study found the same. How much more evidence do we need to collect, before we realize that we’re wasting taxpayer money and not reducing crime in Maryland?

We have big challenges to address in Maryland, and limited funds to address them. Don’t waste more money on legislation that limits the rights of free citizens and has no hope of reducing violent crime.


Respectfully,


_____________________________________________


Going to follow up with phone calls on Friday.

Michael

 

[00-Guy]

Robey and the automatic weapon?

K-Romulus,

That is a new one on me. Do you have any more info on Robey and the automatic?

I guess it is true. When staring down at the barrel, they all look alike?

Paul

 

[kingpin008]

@ Norton - Yea, I saw that little mention of "privilege" in there, and while I half expected such things, seeing it made me shake my head. I can't explain the..shame these people make me feel about our state, and the way we're being led. I'll save the rant, but long story (hopefully short) is that until getting into guns, I could care less about THE SYSTEM and how it was run, having the opinion that it was all crap anyhow and I should just let it fall in on itself. Seeing now that even when I try to shape my country, even when I put honest effort into a cause how..blind and ignorant our "leaders" can be makes me feel sick inside.

Still fighting though, they'll have to get used to me bugging 'em.

 

[MikeK]

K-R;

Thanks for posting my letter. They ran a similar, though slightly better, letter from someone else in the print edition last week. I found that one online but didn't see mine at the time.

Hope to see many of you in Annapolis next week.

 

[jpk1md]

originally posted by mikek Hope to see many of you in Annapolis next week.

DEFINATELY!

Bring friends!

Any chance any of you parents could bring your kids along that shoot?

How great would it be to have one of those young girls in one of the previous posts that was shooting the AR stand up and tell those idiots about the legitimate sporting uses for an AR and others....

 

[K-Romulus]

Article on Robey

http://www.examiner.com/a-517140~Assault_weapons_ban_introduced_to_state_Senate_again.html

Assault weapons ban introduced to state Senate again
Len Lazarick, The Examiner

Jan 19, 2007 3:00 AM (33 days ago)

Annapolis - A freshman senator with close to half the Senate as co-sponsors has reintroduced a bill to ban assault weapons in Maryland.

Montgomery County Sen. Mike Lenett said he had a hand in passage of the federal assault weapons ban when he was counsel to the U.S. Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. That federal ban has since expired and “it’s up to the states” to pass their own bans, he said.

“I know that bill was extremely effective,” Lenett said, and it “makes good common sense.”

Among the Senate co-sponsors are the chair and vice chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee that will hear the bill, and the person who may be the only senator to face an automatic weapon on the street, Howard County Sen. James Robey.

Robey is a former policeman who said in the 1970s, he disarmed a man wielding an AK-47 and holding a hostage at a North Laurel apartment complex.

Different sponsors have introduced the bill in the House of Delegates for at least the last four years. The bill was introduced but withdrawn in 2005.

In 2004, the proposal was introduced in both the House and the Senate but was voted down by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

[email protected]

 

[Archangel]

I've taken off work to be at the AWB hearing on 2/27, and for the CCW bill hearing on 3/9 (and my wife is coming along for that one. )

Is there a preferred format that written testimony should be in?

 

[jpk1md]

English

You need to bring 20 printed copies and submit at the sign in before they pull it at 12:45

 

[madmike]

Stress the point that reservists and police often buy "Assault weapons" and practice with them to improve their duty performance. Making this impossible risks their lives. (Back when there were actual tailgunners using manually aimed guns, the Air Force gave them FREE access to trap ranges to practice their lead.)

Also feel free to use the pic of my and HSO's daughters with their colorful ARs, and the pic from Camp Atterbury with the Army teaching 9 year old girls how to use M16s.

"You're banning a hobby popular with 9 year old girls" is a GREAT soundbite.

 

[alucard0822]

I have also pointed out the importance of maintaining the legality of the many ergonomic features and low power/light recoiling calibers these rifles have that make them easier for women and tens of thousands of marylanders that choose to use these less demanding, more ergonomic and easier to safely operate category of arms. I included that by banning these rifles for what the bill itself states as "cosmetic features" not only infringes on the 2nd amendment, but also infringes of the rights of women, people with disabilities, and those who rely on these often adjustable and ergonomic features to participate in a growing and popular sport, that may not be able to operate traditionally styled arms. And that the fact that there are no accurate and unbiased statistics available to show that these arms are used in any statistically significant number of crimes, or that a ban would be effective in reducing the small number of crimes that are mostly committed with illegally obtained arms that therefore would remain unaffected by any ban.

 

[ZeroCool]

A few questions...

I have the intention of being there on Tuesday, however I have a Job interview at 11:30 a.m. which may mean that I can not make it. The good news is that if I can make it, I will already be in a suit .

My questions:

1) What time does the bill dealing with the AWB begin?

2) What time should we get there, and what is the latest we are allowed to show?

3) Do we have anyone with authority or expertise there to testify for us? I know that the MSP has probably saved our butts in the past...

4) If one wants to speak, how does one do so?

5) When people have spoken in the past are they using facts, personal opinions, emotions or a combination of everything?


I'm sorry for my ignorance, but this is the first time I have ever been involved in anything such as this. I dont know the average age group of those who show up, but perhaps being a young guy (22), fresh out of college will be helpful in some way if most people who attend are 30+ (a.k.a. Old Fogeys )

 

[MikeK]

Zero;

The atached pdf file answers some of your questions. Anyone can speak. Usually the 'good guys' use facts and the 'bad guys' use emotion or distorted facts. You may arrive any time. There is no set schedule for the bill. Based on past experience they tend to start in the afternoon and it lasts into the evening.

 

[madmike]

http://www.michaelzwilliamson.com/rants/guncontrol.php

Use any of those you like.

 

[doc2rn]

Can't say I am surprised

If you voted for them then you got what you deserved. If not gather a petition of people who will be voting next year for their opponents to strike down the bill, and send it to them.

 

[madmike]

That "assault weapons" are "very powerful" but big game hunters oddly prefer .30-06s and .375 H&Hs.

That assault rifles are "underpowered" for hunting, but can "punch through police body armor." More powerful hunting rifles, however, cannot.

That assault rifles are far too powerful to hunt deer and elk, and too dangerous for private citizens to own, but are too impotent for modern warfare, too weak to reliably kill soldiers, and have no place in the concept of a citizen reserve.

That any cheap weapon is a "Saturday night special," and any expensive weapon is an "assault weapon."

That "Cops" and other shows are edited to show the boring encounters with traffic stops and the occasional drunken fool with a revolver in his pocket, and never show the millions of cases where the cops are gunned down in droves by machinegun toting drug dealers.

That rifles with pistol grips are assault weapons, just like vehicles with racing stripes are sports cars.

That Cary Nation, referring to wine and beer as "Demon Rum" and "Spirits" was an obvious kook, but Sarah Brady, and Diane Feinstein referring to self-loading sporting rifles as "Military Assault Weapons" and "Weapons of Mass Destruction" are intellectuals.

That one can "study" the "gun issue," but not know the difference between an assault rifle and a battle rifle.

That 1 firearm owner in 10,000 will commit an act of violence in his or her lifetime, and this is far more frightening than the 25% of drivers who will cause a serious or fatal accident.

That Washington DC's low murder rate of 80.6 per 100,000 is due to strict gun control, but Arlington, Virginia's high murder rate of 1.6 per 100,000 is attributable to the lack of gun control.

That the "Reasonable" uses for guns are hunting and target shooting, but not self-defense. In other words, it's acceptable to use them as toys but not as lifesaving devices.

That intelligent people should support gun control because they realize they are too stupid to be trusted with guns.

That the ready availability of guns today, with only a few government forms, waiting periods, checks, infringements, ID, and fingerprinting, is responsible for all the school shootings, compared to the lack of school shootings in the 1950's and 1960's, which was caused by the awkward availability of guns at any hardware store, gas station, and by mail order.

 

[nico]

If you voted for them then you got what you deserved. If not gather a petition of people who will be voting next year for their opponents to strike down the bill, and send it to them.

Please don't make ASSumptions. I am willing to bet that no one who has posted in this thread voted for anyone who supports or is sponsoring this bill.

 

[kingpin008]

That comment struck me as rather asinine too. I mean, can you imagine? A politician could never and has never changed their position once voted into office! heavens no! Their word is their bond, why would they leave their constituents out to dry?

/sarcasm.

 

[nico]

I just checked my schedule, and I think I can make it this year (finally!). ::fingers crossed::

edit: nevermind. I forgot that one of my professors decided to give us an extra quiz Tuesday afternoon. Sorry for not being able to pull my weight, again. I'll be sure to send out another set of letters to my rep and the committee

 

[twenty711]

Thanks for your support. For anyone who didn't know there is a Maryland Militia. I have met them. Best word that comes to mind is geriatric. :banghead:

 

[ZeroCool]

Guys from other states....

We know there are better states when it comes to guns, but we all can't just pick up and move. We have lives here, ya know. What we are trying to do is beat this thing... not give up and move away.

I'm not going to say the comments are rude, its just that they are.... unnecessary. Show a little support, huh?!?

Like my grammaw says "If you dont have anything nice to say...."


p.s.- Can anyone answer any of my questions (a few posts up)?

 

[Spot77]

My questions:

1) What time does the bill dealing with the AWB begin?

Unknown for sure. The heraring starts at 1:00pm, but there are many bills to be heard and nobody knows in what order they are to be heard.


2) What time should we get there, and what is the latest we are allowed to show?

11:30 would be a good time so that you can get through security and find the hearing room, sign in and submit any written testimony that you bring. If you have written testimony to submit, bring at least 25 copies.

3) Do we have anyone with authority or expertise there to testify for us? I know that the MSP has probably saved our butts in the past...

Yes, I belive we have some good speakers lined up again this year.

4) If one wants to speak, how does one do so?

Simply sign up on the witness sheets and during the hearing they'll recognize you and you may speak. Plan on speaking for 2 minutes or less.

5) When people have spoken in the past are they using facts, personal opinions, emotions or a combination of everything?

All of the above. There are MANY people in our community who are better are researching and veryifying facts than I, so I tend to use only a basic few indisputable facts and per sonal experiences in my testimony. I want the legislature to know how this bill will affect me.


Hope this helps!