Last night, at midnight, the Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die. During the 2016 session, House Speaker Mike Busch, Senate President Mike Miller, and Attorney General Brian Frosh made anti-gun legislation a priority, and your NRA-ILA is happy to report that not a single anti-gun bill was passed.
In a last ditch effort to pass legislation, anti-gun lawmakers in the Maryland Senate attempted to amend language from House Bill 1002 and Senate Bill 906 into another bill. HB 1002 and SB 906 sought to ban the possession or carrying of firearms and knives on college campuses. Those with wear and carry permits do not present a threat to public safety, as they are one of the most law-abiding segments of the population. Current law already allows each university to set its own policy regarding the carrying or possession of firearms. Thanks to the hard work of pro-gun legislators, this anti-gun effort to bypass Senate procedure failed, and gun control proponents saw their agenda defeated.
In addition to holding ground against the infringement of constitutional rights, Marylanders made a small step to restore freedom in the Free State with the passage of House Bill 312 and Senate Bill 208, sponsored by Delegate Sid Saab (R-33) and state Senator Michael Hough (R-4) respectively. House Bill 312 repeals the redundant requirement that an applicant for a renewed wear and carry permit submit fingerprints again. This helps to reduce cost as well as the time needed to renew a wear and carry permit. HB 312 is currently on Governor Larry Hogan’s desk awaiting his signature.
Your NRA-ILA would like to thank the pro-Second Amendment legislators and NRA members of Maryland, along with the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, and Maryland Shall Issue for this success in the 2016 session.