[Cliff]

I just read this on the Maryland AR15 shooters site.

On the Ron Smith show (WBAL) last night, Govenor Erhlich proclaimed that under his administration "there will be no bias against issuing CCW permits"

What does this mean? I don't know, but I think NOW would be the time to apply for a CCW. Once a lot of them get issued, somebody will shut down the party.

Get your CCW down, hopefully you'll be grandfathered later.

- Paul

Anybody else heard about this? Comments?

[PAshooter]

Sorry I missed that show... I usually listen when Governor Bob is on. Gotta wonder what "no bias against" means. Thanks for passing that along - and I'll keep my ears open and pass along what I hear. I urge other residents of the Socialist Democratic Workers Paradise of Maryland to do the same.

[JeepDriver]

I'm going to test the waters next month.

I hope you're right.

[Jim March]

Yes, the word is they're going to seriously change the process, possibly all the way to "shall issue". Kharn was tipped to that effect, and halted his public records query for that reason.

If you're in MD and want a CCW permit, APPLY. There's no other way of knowing what's really up.

[chaim]

Here is a link to download the application if you are interested: http://www.mdsp.maryland.gov/mdsp/downloads/licensingapplication.pdf

Good luck if you are simply applying to see if things have changed administratively to more of a "shall issue" policy. Here is what it says under the "Personal Protection" catagory for required documentation:


There must be documented evidence of recent threats, robberies, and/or assults, supported by official police reports or notarized statements by impartial witnesses.

IF they are planning to reform the process, I don't think it has been done yet.

Anyway, I'm hoping it works out for those who try it. Keep us updated on how it goes, and how you word things on the application.

[0007]

The most interesting part of that statement was that it implied that bias WAS part of the process before. Got to wonder what sort of bias he was talking about.

[Kharn]

You will NEVER be issued a permit by the cops unless you have a giant reason to have one, but you can appeal to the Handgun Permit Review board. The board is 5 civilians appointed by the governor to 3-year terms, Ehlrich just appointed a pro-gunner (brother of a Delegate) to the board in February or March. The board will issue the permit if you can think up a good excuse to get one, just think long and hard about it and you should be able to get one.

Do not try the "Second amendment says I can" approach for why you want a permit, the board will deny you as quick as the cops did; think up any excuse where you carry cash or might deal with unhappy/unstable people (a construction foreman, for example, could be in charge of both paychecks and firing and would thus need to be able to defend himself) and use that.

Note: Gun Collector & Gun Dealer are valid occupations in the MDSP listings of permit holder occupations, if you have your C&R or 01 FFL, you could probably make an appeal for one that way if your collection is big enough (a $10k collection gets you a permit from the cops if you have a C&R, I dont know the cutoff for an 01FFL, but saying you work the gunshows, visit lots of ranges, dont want to be robbed and have your guns on the street, etc etc could work). This might work even better if you had a machine gun on a Form1 or Form4, saying that you are afraid of someone attacking you to get the MG.

Kharn

[Byron Quick]

Does Maryland have reciprocity with any other states?
Is there any provision for non-resident permits?

I've got reason to go to Baltimore several times a year. I darn well won't do it unless I'm carrying. Rather than risk getting arrested, I just won't go.

[Cliff]

Byron,
At this time Maryland does not have reciprocity with other states.Maryland does not have provisions for non-resident permits.

[Kharn]

Cliff: As far as I know, non-residents can get a permit (sorry, no time to check, surfing the boards between classes), but I believe you must attend the review board meeting(s) in person.
For more info, hit my webpage: http://www.chesapeake.net/~mcfadden/ccw/

Kharn

[Gray Peterson]

A) By instituting an administrative "shall-issue" situation, it would be hard for any future Governor to stop it.

B) Money. Every state has a budget deficit right now, including Maryland. 117 dollars for a two year permit is expensive, but it's a hell of a way to close some budget holes in user fees.

[Cliff]

Kharn,
your right,I stand corrected,thanks.;) I just received a email from a buddy who knows some folks in the licensing division, here's what he has to say.


I just spoke with a Sgt. with MSP in their Handgun Permit Division (I am withholding his name out of courtesy). He has heard rumors that Col. Norris and Governor Erhlich are in the process of issuing new regulations to implement permits in MD. There will not be a "shall issue" because that will require a act of legislature. However, he indicates that they may do away with the personal protection requirement of "documented evidence of recent threats, robberies, and/or assaults, supported by official police reports or notarized statements by impartial witnesses."

[Gray Peterson]

"documented evidence of recent threats, robberies, and/or assaults, supported by official police reports or notarized statements by impartial witnesses."

I think removing that requirement would make it "shall-issue" :P

[LoneStranger]

For that requirement for proving threat, what would happen if you were able to bring in newspaper articles or such showing that people have been robbed, injured, and/or killed for small sums of money(under $20 say)?

If you claim that you normally carry greater than that amount($20) and you normally go into similiar areas are you not at risk?

If the LEO says that it has to be a specific threat to you could you not point out that if a specific threat existed then you would have asked the LEO to deal with it, afterall they are there to "Protect?" us aren't they? Then have fun when they backpedal.

[slh02]

This was my hope when I voted for Ehrlich. I hope this goes through! By the way, how old do you have to be to apply? I know in some states you only have to be 18, how old is it here in Md.?

[Kharn]

Its 18 for a permit, but if you have a handgun and you're under 21, you should be prepared to spend a day or two in the pokey till your lawyer can figure something out.
From what I have heard from cops at the range, you will be arrested if you have a handgun and are under 21 in the state, but I havent bothered to search and see if its really illegal or just the cops doing their own thing.

Kharn

[Urban Warrior]

I would take whatever Ehrlich says with a grain of salt.

First, this is the guy who said project exile wiould be a top priority. Well he failed to get it passed this year, along with his slot machine bill.

As long as the state house has a hand in the mix you'll never see permits given like in Fla. or Pa.

Take Ehrlich for what he is: another self serving politician. Sure he's better than Glendening or Townsend, but there all cut from the same cloth. This guy talkes out of both sides of his mouth. I see no hope whatsoever for Md. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Kharn]

Urban Warrior:
Currently, the legislature has no say in CCW issuance beyond confirming the appointment of handgun permit review board members. Those 5 people have the ultimate control of permit issuance in MD and can force the MDSP to issue a (previously-denied) permit.

Also, consider the Democrats control 33 out of 47 seats in the state senate, and what appears to be about the same distribution in the house (I'm not going to bother to count that one out, you can check it yourself here (http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hseparty.html)). In other words: the democrats have an almost veto-proof majority in each branch of the legislature, they could still run the state if they wanted, even if Ehlrich veto'ed every bill they passed.

Kharn

[moa]

Kharn, I recall that guy named Arnold who was in the security business and was proclaimed Citizen of the Year by the mayor of Baltimore was turned down for renewal of his CCW. The permit review board had told the MSP twice to issue his renewal, and they refused and got away with it.

[Kharn]

Moa: Last I heard, he was suing the MDSP for the permit. The problem is that most crimes in MD are punishable by "not more than three years" in jail, so you will lose your gun rights for just about anything you're found guilty of.

Kharn