Legislative Report #07 - February 19, 2024

Dear John,

Last Wednesday's hearings in the House and Senate were difficult as we had hearings in two different Committees in two different buildings at the same time. This required us to divide our limited resources to have representation in both Committees.

The Friday hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on SB 0488 was epic and could have been a full chapter in H. L. Richardson's (1927-2020) book "What Makes You Think We Read The Bills?"

The Sponsor of SB 488 appeared to be reading from Everytown's script and was unable or unwilling to address any questions, chosing to dodge the answers by declining to speculate on what he deamed hypothetical when a simple yes or no answer was all that was needed.

The Maryland Attorney General was questioned by Senator William Folden regarding the AG's statement that most of the crime guns come from a small number dealers who are "bad actors." Senator Folden countered the AG by stating that a recent study of the ten dealers who sold the most guns later involved in crimes revealed that audits conducted by the Maryland State Police were satisfactory. The AG stated he was unfamiliar with the study and Senator Folden told the AG the study was the "Maryland Firearm Crime, Injuries, Fatalities, and Crime Firearms Study" done by the Office of the Attorney General. Crickets....

2A Maryland emailed the study to the members of the Judicial Proceeding Committee. Click here.

NOTE: The study reports are linked on 2A Maryland's Home Page.

In this report:

• UPDATE #2 on Dangerous bills filed this Session
• Bill status and Committee contact information
• Gun bill hearings this week.
• How to interpret Sections and Sub-sections in bill text
• Links to Maryland Gun Laws
• Links to past 2A Maryland Legislative Reports

If you have not expressed your views to the Committee members, what are you waiting for? We have provided you with everything you need to become involved. We need your support.

Best regards,

John H. Josselyn

2A Maryland

Click here to send your comments and/or suggestions.

UPDATE #2 on Dangerous ANTI-GUN Bills Filed this Session

Three dangerous bills have been offered this year, all of which strike at the heart of our 2nd Amendment community.

House Bill 0430 will require that every person who carries a loaded firearm but have a $300,000 liability policy. This is not limited to carry permit holders. It will impact hunters, trap shooters, casual shooters, 4H and Scouts. Even non-federal law enforcement officers will be subject to this requirement. OPPOSE

Hearing: Wednesday Feb. 28^th @ 1 pm Register: Monday, Feb. 26^th, 10 am - 6 pm

House Bill 0935 / Senate Bill 0784 will impose an 11% excise tax on firearms, ammunition and various firearm accessories. The proponents claim this tax targets industry profits and not the consumer. They are lying. The cost of business is ultimately paid by the consumer. OPPOSE

SB 0784 Hearing: Wednesday, Feb 14th @ 1 PM Register: Tuesday, Feb. 13th, 8 am - 6 pm

HB 0935 Hearing: Thursday, Feb. 22^nd @ 1 PM Register: Tuesday, Feb. 20^th, 10 am - 6 pm

House Bill 0947 / Senate Bill 0488 is intended to circumvent federal protections for the lawful commerce of firearms and open the floodgates to a barrage of frivolous lawsuits seeking the force firearms manufacturers and dealers out of business by holding responsible for the unlawful acts of criminals. OPPOSE

SB 0488 Hearing: Friday, Feb. 16th @ 1 PM Register: Thursday, Feb. 15th, 8am - 6 pm

HB 0947 Hearing: Wednesday. Feb. 28^th @ 1 PM Register: Monday, Feb. 26^th, 10 am - 6 pm

Gun & Crime Related Bills - Bills Status & Hearing Schedules:

House Judiciary and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Contact Information

For Outlook email client users:

Click here to download the 2024 Maryland General Assembly contact information in Outlook pst format.

GUN BILL HEARINGS THIS WEEK:

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: Monday, February 19^th, 10 am - 6 pm

Hearing: Wednesday, February 21^st @ 1 pm

HB 0546 Handgun Permits-Accidental Discharge & Training Requirements-MSP Gun Center

OPPOSE

HB 0779 Handgun Qualification Licenses - Personally Identifying Information - Deletion and Destruction

SUPPORT

HB 0794 Regulated Firearms - Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Process

OPPOSE

HB 0869 Public Safety-Firearm Background Checks, Victim Notification, MD Gun Center

OPPOSE

HOUSE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: Tuesday, February 20^th, 10 am - 6 pm

Hearing: Thursday, February 22^nd @ 1 pm

HB 0935 Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act 11% Excise Tax

OPPOSE

Maryland Gun Laws - Statutes & Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR)

Note: The 2023 Edition of 2A Maryland's Publication Maryland Gun Laws is now available - see link below. The 2023 Edition of COMAR is currently under construction.

2A Maryland 2024 Session Legislative Reports - Webpage Views

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