Welcome to our weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To view responses on our previous topics click here.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s Feedback Friday topic is:
Gov. Moore Signs Gun Safety Act / NRA Sues
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?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form. Today’s responses—and all future Feedback Friday responses—will be published in our Monday newsletters after the weekend. AND, several responses from recent topics will appear in our upcoming print magazines!
