Legislative Report #19 - May 12, 2023

Dear John,

The Governor will sign 5 gun bills into law next week. Accordingly, the NRA has indicated that it will pursue legal remedies in court following the actual signing of the legislation into law.

Details will be forthcoming when they become available.

In this report:

• Gun bills to be signed by the Governor at 2 PM on Tuesday , May 16th
• Update on key provisions of gun control bills passed during the 2023 Session (republished for the benefit of our many new subscribers since the last email)
• 2A Maryland Legislators' 2023 Session 2A Vote Scores on Gun Bills (NEW)
• Federal Judge in Richmond Strikes Down Federal Law on Under 21 Handgun Purchases

Best regards,

John H. Josselyn

2A Maryland

Click here to send your comments or suggestions.

Associated Press Reports Wes Moore to Sign Gun Control Bills

Article By Associated Press//April 27, 2023

Source:

https://thedailyrecord.com/2023/04/27/moore-says-he-plans-to-sign-gun-control-bills/

The Daily Record:

"ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he is planning to sign gun-control measures approved by lawmakers in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.

“One, the Bruen decision by the Supreme Court was wrong — full stop,” Moore said.

“We’re going through and checking on the constitutionality now, but, yes, I plan on signing them soon,” Moore, a Democrat, said."

Moore's statement flies in the face of logic. If the bills are constitutional as Moore claims, why is there a need to go through the bills and "check on the constitutionality"? What happens if the bills are found to be unconstitutional? Does Moore backtrack on his statement? Does he veto the bill(s)? Does he sign them in defiance of the Constitution and the Courts? Does he allow them to become law without his signature?

2A Maryland asked the Governor's office: "When is the Governor planning to sign SB1, SB858 and HB824 or does the Governor have other intentions?" We received the following response: "The Governor is taking a thorough examination of all bills. There will be a bill signing ceremony today and in the coming weeks."

The Governor's Press Office has announced that all 5 gun control bills will be signed by the Governor beginning at 2 pm on Tuesday, May 16th. The effective date for these bills is October 1, 2023.

Gun Bills Passed by the Maryland General Assembly

Bills 2A Maryland Opposed:

Senate Bill 1 – Criminal Law – Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting Firearms – Restrictions (Gun Safety Act of 2023)

Effective Date: October 1st

Key Provisions:



• Carry permit holders' handguns must be carried concealed under or within clothing.
• Firearms must be in a locked container when transported in a motor vehicle.
• For persons with permits to wear and carry a handgun; the handguns must be transported within the limitations imposed under §5-307 of Public Safety Article.
• Many public locations are now restricted areas where firearms are prohibited unless posted otherwise by the owner.

Click here to download the full report on SB 1's Key Provisions

Senate Bill 858 – Firearm Safety - Storage Requirements and Youth Suicide Prevention (Jaelynn's Law)

Effective Date: October 1st

Key Provisions:

• Raises the minimum age when firearms must be secured from 16 years of age to 18 years of age.
• New penalty provisions which limit or prohibit firearms ownership.

Click here to download the full report on SB 858's Key Provisions.

House Bill 824 – Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Possession and Permits to Carry, Wear, and Transport a Handgun

Effective Date: October 1st

Key Provisions:



• Adds a wide range of circumstances & offenses which will prohibit the possession of regulated firearms.
• Increases the cost of original permits & permit renewals.
• Greatly expands the training requirements for a wear and carry permit.
• Adds additional offenses which will prohibit a person from obtaining a carry permit.

Click here to download the full report on HB 824's Key Provisions.

2023 Session - House & Senate Vote Reports - UPDATE

It is important to note that the number of floor votes occurring will vary with the legislative history of each bill.

For example:

• One vote - a bill which passed in one Chamber but died in the Opposite Chamber's committee.
• Two votes - a bill which passed in both Chambers without amendments in the Opposite Chamber OR a bill which passed in the Chamber of Origin but failed to pass on the floor of the Opposite Chamber.
• Three votes - a bill which passed in the Chamber of Origin, and was passed amended in the Opposite Chamber will receive a 2nd floor vote in the Chamber of Origin on whether to accept or reject the amended version of the bill.

Floor Votes: "2A Score" Report

The “2A Vote Score Sheet” on the 2A Maryland website is a variant of the "Yea & Nay" Vote Report contained in our previous Legislative Report (#18).

A “nay” vote was a pro-2A vote and a “yea” was an anti-2A vote. We changed each “yea” to a zero (0), and each “nay” to a one (1). That being accomplished, we inserted a column with a formula which converted the sum of ones and zeros for each bill to a single number which for comparison purposed. The legislators are elected and paid to vote so a missed vote, absent, excused, etc. equates to a zero.

In the case of the House of Delegates, there were a total of 7 floor votes. In the Senate there were a total of 5 floor votes. Bottom line: A Delegate with a score of “7” has a perfect score while a Senator with a “5” has a perfect score.

Of the two reports, the 2A Vote Score is probably the more useful document for gun owners. All they need to do is find their legislator(sand look at the legislators’ score in the score column. Most gun owners have no idea which district they are in or who represents them, so we included the link address for mdelect.net.

The House and Senate Floor 2A Vote Score data is available on 2A Maryland's website Bill Tracking Page and in hardcopy.

Click here to download a hardcopy of the "2A Score" Floor Vote Report

Floor Votes: "Yea & Nay" Report

No pro 2A bills came out of committee, only gun control bills advanced; all of which we opposed. This means that for the 2023 Session, a “Nay” vote against an anti-gun bill was a pro 2A vote.

The House and Senate Floor Vote Record Reports are available on 2A Maryland's website Bill Tracking Page and in hardcopy.

Click here to download a hardcopy of the "Yea & Nay" Floor Vote Report.

Federal Judge in Richmond Strikes Down Federal Law on Under 21 Handgun Purchases

From AP:

"RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — U.S. District Court Judge Robert Payne's ruling striking down a federal law that bans licensed federal firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under 21 is the latest example of how a landmark Supreme Court decision is transforming the legal landscape around firearms.

The ruling issued Wednesday by a federal judge in Virginia is just the beginning of what's likely to be a lengthy court battle over rules aimed at making it harder for 18- to 20-year-olds to get handguns.

The judge’s ruling won't go into effect until he issues a final order that would bar the government from enforcing the age limit. The Justice Department didn't immediately comment on the ruling but is likely to appeal and could ask for the final order to be put on hold while it does."

Click here to read the entire AP article.

Notice: Changes continue to occur in the Maryland General Assembly. Check back for updates on the Gmail and Outlook address data files.

NEW FOR GMAIL ACCOUNT USERS!

Email Address Downloads for 2023 Maryland General Assembly

Gmail CSV Download 

Click here to download the latest Gmail CSV file.

2023 Maryland General Assembly - Outlook PST Download 

Click here to download the latest Outlook PST file.

Maryland Gun Bills - 2023 Hearing Schedules and Synopses

Past 2A Maryland 2023 Session Legislative Reports - Webpage Views

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

Note: One or both of the documents below will require updating to address the changes relating to the gun bills passed during the 2023 Session.

Watch for udates in the coming months.

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