Maryland Shall Issue Update 3-18-07

Norton

New member
1) If you haven't heard the good news, the Assault Weapons Ban SB 43 failed in committee. We should be safe from that one this year.

2) Thanks to Peter, Craig, John, Paul, Ron, Stephen, Cynthia, Alan, Ray, Dale Tom, Regina, Kevin, Joe, Bob, Gordon, Carolyn, Ed, Dave, Brad, Brian, Michael, Lukasz, Jeff, Steve, Christine, Simon, Dan, Don, Ann, and Ken who donated a total of $2615. Thanks!

That was more than enough for Suzanna Hupp's travel. We will use the rest to continue the fight.

We've had a couple of really good days ... the AWB hearing with 202 signed in to testify against it; and the CCW hearing in the House with news coverage of Suzanna Hupp (and one of the security guards put a Self Defense For Maryland - Maryland Shall Issue bumpersticker on the security x-ray machine <g>) ... but we need one more this year. A good turnout for the Senate CCW hearings may move that ahead, and will certainly put an exclamation point on our message to not pass more anti-gun laws.

3) We issued another press release today: http://tinyurl.com/2tmdqs

4) One of our Executive Members has made and recorded a radio ad for us. We hope to have it aired on WBAL during the Ron Smith show on Monday and Tuesday, but we were unable to reach the advertising department over the weekend ... stay tuned.

5) Several of you sent me good written testimony which I'll submit on Wednesday. Thanks! Now what we really need is a large turnout for the CCW hearing this Wednesday, especially women.

It's this Wednesday, March 21st at 1 PM in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (same one the AWB hearing was in). Best to sign in and/or turn in written testimony before noon.

Directions on how to get to the House & Senate Buildings are now a link on our Current Actions page, or are accessible directly by going here: http://tinyurl.com/2hrwce

The main thing is just to be there. Dress should be more business than casual. You won't be allowed to wear hats in the hearing room, and your cell phones should be turned off. You won't have to sit in the hearing room if don't want to, they have speakers set up in the hall outside so you can hear what goes on.

You don't have to testify, however anyone who wishes to do so may. It can be as simple as just standing up and saying "I support this bill." You must sign the roster in order to testify orally ... they limit your time (probably 3 minutes). I think you can sign the roster till 12:30 but it's best to get there early (maybe 11 AM) to sign up ... then go have lunch and come back. If you testify orally, do not read a prepared statement - they want to hear you speak, not read. Be calm and polite. The anti-gunners have the impression that gunnies are ignorant and angry ... so angry people saying "I want my guns" is not going to sway them to our side - in fact it will probably do the reverse.

If you wish to submit written (rather than, or in addition to oral testimony) that must be submitted by 12:30 and in at least 20 copies ... if you submit more than 20 copies they will put the extra copies out to be available to the press and other interested parties. The bill number - SB 762 for the shall issue CCW bill, or SB 761 for the 'Castle Doctrine' law - must be prominently written on the top of the cover page of your written testimony.

SB 761 Entitled: Crimes - Self-Defense - No Duty to Retreat or Seek Safety by Escape
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/billfile/sb0761.htm
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/sb/sb0761f.pdf
Fiscal Note: http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/fnotes/bil_0001/sb0761.pdf
Hearing 3/21 at 1:00 p.m.
Synopsis:
Authorizing a person charged with a specified crime to assert a claim of self-defense even though the person failed to retreat or seek safety by escape.


SB 762 Entitled: Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Repeal of Finding Requirement
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/billfile/sb0762.htm
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/bills/sb/sb0762f.pdf
Fiscal Note: Not available at this time
Hearing 3/21 at 1:00 p.m.
Synopsis:
Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.


Don't forget that you need to leave pocket knives, etc. in your car (they won't let you in with them, and they won't hold them and return them to you), and that you must have a photo ID to get in.

Please contact me if you need any more information.


- Henry Heymering, President

Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.
P.O. Box 314
Libertytown, MD 21762
240-446-6782
http://www.marylandshallissue.org
henry@marylandshallissue.org
 
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