Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Gov. Moore Signs Gun Safety Act / NRA Sues
Posted May 19, 2023
On Tuesday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed the Gun Safety Act of 2023 into law, which will prohibit “a person from knowingly wearing, carrying, or transporting a firearm in certain locations,” among other measures. Those locations include: “an area for children or vulnerable adults” (e.g., schools, health care facilities), “government or public infrastructure area,” or a “special purpose area,” which is defined as a place licensed to sell alcohol, cannabis, a stadium, museum, racetrack, or casino.
In response to the signing, the National Rifle Association and Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Association (the local NRA affiliate) filed Federal suit against the state, calling the bill “unconstitutional.” And stating, “[the bill] further restricts where ordinary, law-abiding Maryland citizens with a carry permit may exercise their right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.” Their suit requests that the court declare portions of the law that require carry permits in violation of the several amendments (1st, 2nd, and 14th), enjoin the state from enforcing those portions, and award damages and attorney fees for bringing the suit.
What do you think about the Gun Safety Bill and the right to conceal-carry (or not) in certain public spaces? Needed or not? Will this curb criminal gun violence in any way?
Here’s what you said:
This just limits law abiding citizens from protecting themselves..The carjacking Tuesday in Annapolis was carried out by a 15 year old with a Ghost gun. He doesn't care about the law.
Daniel Laughlin, Annapolis
Well we all know how criminals honor the law....that old adage about outlawing guns means that only outlaws will have guns is exactly right! All the school mass shootings have been done in gun free zones after all!
Christy Wilson, Severna Park
I'd love to see the statistics of crimes committed in MD where concealed carry permit holders were the aggressor that would make this law make sense. Criminals don't obey the law and concealed carry permit holder do. The responsible citizens who have gone thru the required training, paperwork, interviews, numerous background checks and paid the fees should be able to carry anywhere in the state in order to protect themselves and their family. Let's start holding the judges & criminals responsible for their actions instead of releasing them to commit more crimes. This is unconstitutional and a waste of time & money.
Jennifer Jones, Tilghman
Laws are already in place to make carrying and possession of a firearm illegal by those that should not have one in their possession. This truly seems to target only the persons that have gone about the lawful process to protect themselves (like myself). It now makes the majority of areas where one might find harm an area of violation, somewhat negating the reason for having the handgun permit in the first place. The police are already in a situation of alert due to potential legal action against them should they have to protect and defend someone. I have more solace knowing I am able to protect myself than rely on the hopes a police officer could get to me in time.The additional fees are yet another slap in the face. The fee has doubled? For what reason. Did the cost of operation and processing double? Unfortunately it is seemingly another assault on the people that follow the laws. I'm highly disappointed in the lack of public safety and the direction we are heading almost making the good guy the one to receive the punishment rather than addressing the offenders. By signing this bill Gov. Moore has directed aggression toward the law abiding citizens.
Chad Smith, Arnold
I support Governor Moore's decision and the new law. We do not need more guns in schools or places where alcohol is sold. We need less guns in public places, not more. If there is a shooting in such a location, having more civilians with guns is likely to cause more injuries or death and can lead to confusion by police officers as to who presents the threat.
Jon Mueller, Annapolis
Instead of punishing law abiding citizens who believe in the 2nd amendment. Announce that anyone who has an illegal gun to give mandatory sentencing to those that commit a crime with said weapon. Use common sense and not attack or restrict law abiding citizens. You're starting off on the wrong foot, wake up not woke up!
J Z, Crownsville
Have no issues with Bill recently signed. But my main concern is retirees prescription plan which may be eliminated. Would love to share my thoughts with Governor Moore. This is terribly troubling.
Cindy Hartline, Rosedale
I believe the new laws are needed to curb gun violence. Not sure those who want to carry guns will obey them but at least they can be arrested and charged.
Diane Lopez, Shady Side
I endorse the gun law - only wishes that banned assault weapons!
Fran Becker, Annapolis
Ban all guns. Period. Sportsmen can buy them and use them for hunting or target shooting. No one else needs a gun. No AR 15s nor handguns. Institute background checks right away. Institute a 30 day waiting period. Do not allow anyone under 21 to purchase a gun. Do not allow gun shows. Do you want to know how I really feel?
Jean Tullier, Annapolis
The Governor is signing gun rules and regulations he has no jurisdiction to change constitutional amendments. School zones are already no gun and drug zones ...hence red ribbon weeks and signage already posted.The criminals and felon and repeat offenders should just go to jail when in violation of terms of repeated offenses...oh get illegal guns and the market sellers and buyers off the streets...there's a dumb obvious job that is not being done ...I will protect my right to bear arms and protect myself and law abiding citizens as per my oath of service retired or not....it's not terrorism it patriotism...Read Dictionary and Constitution.....
Christine Gromley, Centreville
What do I think of the Gun Safety Act of 2023 which prohibits people from wearing, carrying, or transporting a gun in "certain locations"? Seriously? Who actually NEEDS to wear/carry/transport a gun in ANY location, unless maybe you are legitimately hunting for animals, not people? "Oh, but I need to protect myself." So where are you people when there is an active shooter in church, or a mall, or school, or walking down a street? And would I actually trust you to use that gun of yours to take out the shooter without killing or injuring an innocent bystander? Or, "it's my Second Amendment right." The 2nd Amendment was written in 1791, more than 200 years ago. At that time, armies were equipped with basically three weapons — single-shot rifles, swords, and cannons. I’m almost OK if you want to walk around with a cannon. But again, why would you NEED to?
As far as I'm concerned, Governor Moore’s law doesn't go nearly far enough. We talk about the number of people killed by guns. But what about the number of people who survive and are horribly affected for the rest of their lives -- mentally and physically. What about them? And who pays for the treatment for these survivors? So, let’s blame it on mental illness. Yeah, let's talk about that. Are we the only country with mental illness. Hell no. But we are the only developed country that ALLOWS people to carry guns.
It's not time to pass strict gun control legislation. It’s PAST time to pass such legislation.
I want to exercise MY right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I want to be able to go to a movie, or a mall, or send my kids to school, or drive down a street, or walk down a street without having to worry about whether some person is going to use their "right to bear arms" to KILL me.
Let’s learn from other developed countries rather than take this wonderful country down a dark road that will be difficult to recover from.
JoAnn Cook, Crofton
I would like to see the report on how many licensed permit to carry people have committed a shooting or robbery. As usual the liberals in Annapolis have no common sense when it comes to making bills. There are plenty of laws on the books on guns but it does not seem the courts want to use them. I hope these lawmakers don't need a good guy to get them out of trouble. We all know the criminals don't buy the guns in stores and they don't care what the laws are.
Mike Stachelek, Manchester
As an AA Co resident, woman, pistol instructor, Mom, and Grandmother, it worries me that Gov Moore is trying to limit my basic right to self protection of myself and my family. School, government buildings, and health care facilities were already prohibited. There are already restrictions for alcohol and cannabis use. This is a waste of time and money - tax payer money to defend the bill. As most people know, the problem is criminals not law abiding citizens who spend time and money learning about gun safety and state and federal laws. 74% of mass shooting occur in gun free zones. The #1 cause of gun deaths in this country is from suicide. Why aren't our elected officials addressing the real issues in this state? The average time of a mass shooting is 9 minutes. It takes, on average, 9 minutes for police to arrive. Personally, I prefer to have trained, armed Americans in my community. Background checks - what exactly is being checked? Where is the national databases of criminal activity and mental health issues? Current fees already make it impossible for a low income family to own a gun legally Let's increase the fees for criminal activity - oh wait, there are none. Ban all guns - so only the criminals are armed; plus let's discuss violence in general. Other countries have high rates of other crimes, ie using knives, cars, bombs, chemicals, etc. There are many, many stories of armed citizens coming to the defense of others but somehow we don't hear those stories. I will end with my favorite - why is it not a federal crime to steal a gun? It's time to put responsibility for bad deeds on the criminals and stop focusing on law abiding citizens.
Jeanne Rieken, Edgewater
I have read the above comments and find them misinformed and silly. These folks have no idea (or are unwilling to think about) the crime in Baltimore, the carjacking in Monthomery County, Bethesda, etc. Everyone wants to pretend they don't own guns for protection but they are generally the worst owners. No training. Look into the training that a W&CP holder goes through.
Those that think the 2nd amendment is an artifact of the past? Shall we removed the 19th as well? How about the 6th? What's the limit on this? Or just the ones that makes us uncomfortable?
Joe Uhmelmahay, Fairfax
I think the new gun law is not gonna solve anything to stop criminals from using guns it actually embolen the criminals but people keep thinking restricting a God's given Right to self preservation will stop criminals and people who thinks the law enforcement will stop them in the act of a crime are delusional people don't realize if you're getting robbed and comply with the criminal you can still get shot so these anti gun people in the state of Maryland will rather be be defenseless plus these state politicians lives in secure gated communities that's guarded by the same guns they don't want their state citizens to have they don't live in the high crime area's so it's easy for them to dictate rather you should defend your own life or property how does that make sense they don't have to be in places in Maryland like the inside of the beltway in Prince George's County or in Baltimore city and county at a gas station their not as vulnerable as the rest of us if they want to curb so-called gun violence they need to create harsher punishments to whoever gets caught with a unregistered gun and vigorously enforce the laws that were already in place and leave the law biding gun owners alone and get out of the way of our constitutional gun rights because putting more restrictions on law biding citizens will not stop any type of so-called gun violence...it makes no sense
Fred Major , Forestville
I believe that some people are very confused. A person who wants to wear and carry has to go to extensive class, which includes class time and shooting on the range. Also they need to be fingerprinted and not only a state, but also a federal background done on them. Three references that are not related and five years of work history. The fingerprints, background checks and classes are in the hundreds of dollars. Then the person has to wait 90 days just to get the permit. After finding a gun, they have to wait seven days to be able to pick it up. They are taught in class about shooting a person In public and the dangers of shooting an innocent bystander. Also after shooting, how to comply with the police officer when he arrived. Not everyone will be allowed a permit. But answer this. You're in a store, park or another area and there's a gunman. I’m there with my concealed weapon. I have a shot where no one else will be injured. Do you want me to shoot or wait for the police to show up? Which would you prefer? Think about it.
Beverly Schiver, Frostburg
Get informed. Liars like Pittman never tell the truth about firearms, or in Pittman's case, much of anything.
In MD unless you are a member, past or present, IN GOOD STANDING, of law enforcement or an honorably retired veteran, all purchasers of legal handguns and firearms on the state registry list, it is required, at a minimum, to do the training for and pay the state a fee for a Handgun Qualification License (HQL). This permits LEGAL purchase of weapons mentioned above. Think of it as Jim Crow poll taxes and tests for simply trying exercise your rights, but I digress.
For a person to legally carry a concealed firearm that is not a permitted long gun, then a Wear and Carry Permit (WCP) is necessary for non-active duty law enforcement. Even retired law enforcement veterans are required to obtain said permit. With the exception of those granted exceptions for the HQL, permit applicants must go through hands-on training that includes weapons handling and permitted usage of firearms and pay a significant fee.
Furthermore, digitized fingerprinting and photographs are required for the above permit. All costs are to be paid for by applicant. It can cost a person in excess of $400 just to legally enforce a RIGHT.
Next, firearms are NOT inexpensive. All legal handgun and state regulated firearm sales take a minimum of 7 business days for BOTH FBI and MD State Police background checks prior to approving the purchase. If a firearm is a not a regulated registry gun, like hunting and target long guns, for example, then a FBI background check is required. These checks can be same day to 3 day approval periods.
Therefore legal gun owners have background checks for most types of transactions of firearms. Even so-called "ghost guns" are required to get a registered serial number.
Legal firearm owners are NOT the problem. Get over your self-induced apathy and get informed.
Chris Watson , Baltimore
Want to share your own feedback on this topic? Fill out the online form here to contribute to the discussion.
