Legislative Report #08 - February 26, 2024

Dear John,

Things are moving on an accelerted schedule this Session due to the unusually large number of gun control and crime related bills which are usually heard in either the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR) or the House Judiciary Committee (JUD).

Recent email traffic indicates that many readers are not taking advantage of the enormous amount of information on 2A Maryland's website. We cannot put everything in an email report and we must rely on gun owners to show some personal initiative and visit our website to become familiar with the wide range of information it contains. The answers to most of the questions we receive can be found on the website.

Once again, we need support in Annapolis during the hearings. Even if you cannot be there in person you can create a "My MGA" account (see 2A Maryland website for video tutorial) and testify virturally, submit written testimony or simply register your support or oppostion to a bill.

Fun fact: The Maryland State Police use 2A Maryland's compilation of Maryland Gun Laws.

In this report:

• UPDATE #3 on Dangerous bills filed this Session
• Bill status and Committee contact information
• Week #2 Gun bill hearings in the House & Senate
• 2nd Amendment litigation news across the nation
• 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 still need your support!

Best regards,

John H. Josselyn

2A Maryland

Click here to send your comments and/or suggestions.

UPDATE #3 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. Two of the bills have Committee hearings this week. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and voice your opposition.

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 in House Judiciary Committee (JUD) See contact info below.

Register: TODAY, 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

Hearings are complete in both Chambers. Continued pressure is needed on the Senate Budget and Tax Committee (B&T) and the House Ways and Means Committee (W&M). See contact info below.

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: Hearing: Wednesday Feb. 28^th @ 1 pm in House Judiciary Committee (JUD) See contact info below.

Register: TODAY, 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.

Click to download: Email & phone contact information in PDF.

SENATE GUN BILL HEARINGS THIS WEEK:

TUESDAY, FEB. 27^th @ 1 pm:

SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE (JPR) (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: TODAY, MONDAY, February 26^th, 8 am - 6 pm

SB 752 Regulated Firearms - Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Process OPPOSE

SB 753 Public Safety - Firearm Background Checks, Victim Notification, and the Maryland State Police Gun Center OPPOSE

SB 1097 Public Safety - Gun Buyback Programs - Destruction of Firearms OPPOSE

SENATE EDUCATION, ENERGY and the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (EEE) (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: TODAY, MONDAY, February 26^th, 8 am - 6 pm

SB 983 Hunting - Lead and Lead-Based Ammunition - Phase-Out OPPOSE

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28^th @ 1 pm:

SENATE EDUCATION, ENERGY and the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (EEE) (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: TOMORROW, TUESDAY February 27^th, 8 am - 6 pm

SB 819 Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Firearms Required SUPPORT

HOUSE GUN BILL HEARINGS THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28^th @ 1 pm



HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (JUD) (see contact info above)

Sign up to testify: TODAY - Monday, February 26^th, 10 am - 6 pm

House Bill 0430 Firearms - Liability Insurance - Public Wearing and Carrying OPPOSE

House Bill 0947 Civil Actions - Public Nuisances - Firearm Industry Members OPPOSE

House Bill 810 Criminal Law - Weapon Crimes - Switch/Auto-Sear

No Postion - These devices are already illegal under federal law.

Links to 2nd Amendment News from Across the Nation

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/court-issues-major-ruling-in-favor-of-gun-rights/ar-BB1iOUhi?ocid=socialshare&pc=HCTS&cvid=c71c3dcc4a9a4c4e8dd1b8d0c3bb335e&ei=39

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-judge-has-dismissed-fargo-s-challenge-to-north-dakota-restrictions-on-local-gun-control/ar-BB1iMio1?ocid=socialshare&cvid=cd4d107254384386d33fde602f70fbcb&ei=11

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-22/judge-blocks-california-law-targeting-suppliers-of-abnormally-dangerous-firearms#:~:text=Gov.,federal%20judge%20blocked%20this%20week.&text=A%20federal%20judge%20has%20blocked,of%20%E2%80%9Cabnormally%20dangerous%E2%80%9D%20firearms.

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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