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"A
legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law."
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2009
Session has ended! |
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written
testimony:
HOUSE - Submit 35 copies by 11:00 AM; |
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ALERT: Effective August 1, 2007, the state police require access to individuals' private medical records prior to any regulated firearm purchase (includes all handguns). The Maryland State Police state "If the MSP Form 774-3 is not submitted with the application it will not be processed and the application will be administratively disapproved." Find the form at http://www.mdsp.org/downloads/77R-3.pdf To read the HIPAA policy on medical records privacy, see http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/privacy.html
FBI National Instant Criminal Background
Check System (NICS) More than 20,000 laws restricting firearms already exist in the U.S., and most of them are ineffective, waste resources, and only succeed in turning more law-abiding citizens into criminals with the stroke of a pen. Please
testify and/or offer written testimony in Annapolis, or contact
your legislators if you are unable to attend. |
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2009 Session Key Bills
Contact your state
legislators
TODAY via snailmail (preferred), phone,
fax, or email!
"The bias in professional journalism against
the Second Amendment is alarming, and SAS SUPPORTS **HOUSE BILL 332 (crossfiled with SB 420) - CASTLE DOCTRINE-CIVIL IMMUNITY - Would prevent a criminal or his/her family from filing a civil suit against a victim who legally injures or kills the criminal during a violent attack. A similar bill had wide support for the past four (4) years (inclusive), but Senator Frosh barred it from coming to a vote in Senate Judicial Proceedings, clearly denying the democratic process and also supporting criminals' interests over those of law-abiding women and people with disabilities. Senator Frosh says the bill is "flawed" but has repeatedly failed to help citizens write a bill he could support. DIED IN CHAIRMAN FROSH'S DESK DRAWER. **HOUSE BILL 359 (crossfiled with SB 586)- HANDGUN PERMIT - Victim of domestic violence with protective order has good and substantial reason for issuance. Doesn't go far enough (see HB 470), since all citizens should be able to protect themselves from violent criminals who perpetrate crimes such as car-jacking, violent assault, and public abduction. Failed Judiciary. **HOUSE BILL 470 - HANDGUN PERMITS - REPEAL OF FINDING REQUIREMENT. Would allow Maryland's existing "shall issue" law to stand without arbitrary police power to deny citizens their rights. All women and men should be free to exercise their right to self defense. Crime statistics show CCW permitholders are less likely to commit crimes than the general population, and the rate of rapes is lower in those states where women may carry. Unfavorable vote. HB 682 (crossfiled with SB 485) Handgun Permits - Federal Flight Deck Officers. Requiring the Secretary of State Police to issue a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun within a reasonable time to an applicant who can provide documentation that the applicant has successfully completed the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security and has been authorized to use a firearm to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy. Unfavorable vote. **SENATE BILL 420 (crossfiled with HB 332) Would prevent a criminal or his/her family from filing a civil suit against a victim who legally injures or kills the criminal during a violent attack. Currently, a woman who harms or kills a brutal rapist in her home may incur enormous costs, even if she wins a suit brought by the attacker or his family. We would like to see Senator Frosh sponsor a "good" bill so law-abiding citizens can defend their families without the fear of a civil suit. A similar bill had wide support for the past 4 years (inclusive), but Senator Frosh barred it from coming to a vote in Senate Judicial Proceedings, clearly denying the democratic process and also supporting criminals' interests over the rights of law-abiding women and people with disabilities. DIED IN CHAIRMAN FROSH'S DESK DRAWER. SENATE BILL 447 - SWAT TEAM ACTIVATION AND DEPLOYMENT REPORTS. SUPPORT. Passed. Thank you, legislators! SENATE BILL 485 (crossfiled with HB 682) - HANDGUN PERMITS - FEDERAL FLIGHT DECK OFFICERS. Unfavorable vote. **SB 586 (crossfiled with HB 359) - HANDGUN PERMITS - VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. All citizens should be able to protect themselves from violent criminals who perpetrate crimes such as car-jacking, violent assault, and public abduction. Unfavorable. **SB 746 - Public Safety - Citizens Self-Defense Act. Adding self-defense as a "good and substantial reason" for the Secretary of State Police to issue a permit to a person to wear, carry, or transport a handgun. Restrictions based on age, criminal record, and mental health would still apply. One has to ask, even if Senate Bill 586 passes, what does a victim of domestic violence do to protect him/herself once a restraining order is lifted? Burn victim Yvette Cade would still have no reasonable means of self defense. This bill also is essential for nurses and others who must travel in isolated areas or at night. Senate: Judicial Proceedings WITHDRAWN.
SAS OPPOSES Overview: SAS opposes HOUSE BILL 353 (crossfiled with SB 551) - Public Institutions of Higher Education - Firearms, Knives, and Deadly Weapons - Prohibition. WOULD DENY MEANS OF SELF-DEFENSE TO ADULT LAW-ABIDING STUDENTS WITH CCW PERMITS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. At Appalachian Law School and New Life Church, individuals stopped mass murderers with firearms. At Virginia Tech and Luby's restaurant, no one was armed, and many were murdered as a result. Unfavorable. Thank you, legislators! HOUSE BILL 1309 - Natural Resources Hunting - Expansion of Safety Zone. Extending the hunter safety zone, within which specified persons are prohibited from discharging a weapon or hunting or chasing birds or mammals without permission, from 150 to 300 yards from buildings occupied by human beings. This bill is a knee-jerk reaction to a very rare situation. Unfavorable. Thank you, delegates, for opposing this bill! HOUSE BILL 1446 - Sales of Ammunition - Records. Sponsored By: Chair, Judiciary Committee (By Request - Departmental - State Police). Synopsis: Requiring a person engaged in the business of selling ammunition to maintain specified records of sales of ammunition; requiring a person who purchases ammunition to present specified identification; requiring the Secretary of State Police to adopt specified regulations; establishing a civil penalty for a violation of the Act; etc. This is simply a backdoor registration scheme, which Canada tried and has decided, after a longitudinal study, wasted taxpayer funds that should have been spent on more police officers. The Centers for Disease Control, National Academy of Sciences, and recent university studies have found no reduction in crime resulting from such laws. This legislation would bring Maryland closer to becoming a police state. WITHDRAWN. Thank you, legislators! HB 1501 - See section 5-608, which includes yet another backdoor gun registration scheme (ammo registration for ALL citizens, under the guise of preventing sales to minors). Would also effectively end youth recreational shooting. This is Prince George's County, which already takes ammo with firearms under protective orders--and steals it. SAS STRONGLY OPPOSES. SENATE BILL 551 (crossfiled with HB 353) WEAPON-FREE HIGHER EDUCATION ZONES. At Appalachian Law School and New Life Church, individuals stopped mass murderers with firearms. At Virginia Tech and Luby's restaurant, no one was armed, and many were murdered as a result. Unfavorable. Thank you, legislators! **These bills are essential for women's safety and need your strongest support. "Arms discourage and keep the
invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order |
Directions to Annapolis senate and house locations: The state buildings are easily accessible by shuttle from the Navy Marine Corp Memorial Stadium at 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland (also accessible via public transportation). From Route 50, take exit 24, Rowe Blvd., South towards Annapolis and the stadium. Go straight to the 2nd light (pass the stadium on your right) and take the first right, Taylor Avenue. Turn right at Gate 5, the 5th driveway on the right (you'll see a ticket booth). Parking is $5 for the entire day (please have exact change ready as you enter) and shuttles run frequently. The shuttle driver can direct you to the senate or house buildings at the "Lawyers Mall" stop on College St. The entrances are on Bladen Street (facing away from Lawyers Mall courtyard down Bladen Street) on the left for the senate and the right for the house. Food is available, but it's a bit of a walk (especially at the house) - and the eateries are very crowded at the lunch hour plan ahead!). Babies and citizens of all ages are welcome, so please bring them! GOOGLE MAP Public Transportation (information on trains, subway, and buses). QUESTIONS? |
Don't know who your legislators are? Use a map: http://mdelect.net/electedofficials, or the General Assembly listings at http://mlis.state.md.us/, or call 410-841-3000. Search for a bill by number here. Civil Action email system here (BE RESPECTFUL! Beta system: please provide recommended enhancements to webmaster!). |
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"The only remedy for a bad guy
with a gun is a good guy with a gun." --SD Rep. Thomas Brunner |
SAS joined the Southeastern Legal Foundation in an amicus brief in DC v. Heller (Supreme Court hearing on DC gun ban) on behalf of women, the elderly, and the disabled! See all amicus briefs in favor of Heller's right to self defense here! The SCOTUS wiki on DC v. Heller is available here. |
| Second Amendment Sisters and all related indicia © 2000-2009. All rights reserved | last updated May 31, 2009 |