It's election time in MD - what are we doing?

[Kharn]

Forgive me for being a little OT here, but are you aware of any community response to Mayor O'Malley's "blue light" cameras being installed on just about every block of the Park Heights Jewish corridor? Those rigs tend to be installed in rougher areas and were one to go up in my neighborhood I'd be mad as all get out.

For months I've been driving back and forth from Harford County down 895 to BWI, and every time I did the drive during hours of darkness, I wondered what the heck those super-bright flashing lights were, I could see them for miles. Only yesterday (when I went down to Hopkins to visit a family member, I took Pulaski highway all the way in) did I realize those blue lights were attached to the police cameras.

Leaving Hopkins after sundown, I couldnt believe how much those lights lit up the entire block whenever they flashed.

Kharn

 

[Helmetcase]

You know what? If I drive fast, I can make it down there...

I'm on my way!

 

[bbrins]

Here is the reply to the e-mail that I sent to Commissioner David Hale:

Bryan,



Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. It is a busy time in the election cycle. I appreciate you asking me questions directly – I wish more citizens would make the effort to talk directly with the candidates. I have tried to answer your questions directly and comprehensively with no political double-speak. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions. Call me on my cell phone at ***-***-**** or email me at [email protected] anytime.



I believe in the right to bear arms, that this right is explicitly granted by the US Constitution and that this right should not be whittled away by legislation.

I believe gun control to be a good example of politicians trying to show action to the voters, but it is action that has no real impact on crime.

I believe that the District of Columbia is a prime example. Washington DC has some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the United States and I see nothing to show me that it is even remotely successful in reducing crime, murder, shootings, armed robbery, car jackings or any other types of violent crime.

I am opposed to weapons bans because I have seen no evidence that these bans reduce violent crime or make our society safer.

I support concealed carry permits.

I like the idea of ballistic fingerprinting – however the data does not seem to show that this process produces any real crime fighting or terrorism prevention benefits.

I believe that legislation should focus on the misuse of weapons – that crimes committed with weapons should be the target of hardened law-making.

Although a cliché – I believe that “Outlaw Guns and only the Outlaws will have Guns” conveys a certain truth to the topic of gun control.

I believe that our elected officials should concentrate less on guns and more on strong criminal legislation, strong guidance to the judicial branch, tougher stances on minimal sentencing and making prison the type of place where no criminal wants to return as a repeat offender.



My last 12 years outside of politics has been spent running a small business that is dedicated to the National Intelligence Community and I have spent a significant amount of time at the FBI helping them implement systems such as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), the Combined DNA Indexing System (CODIS) and the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). I have also helped improve the National Uniform Crime Report (UCR) and the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). I have seen the non-political side of the gun control argument and see no substantive data to show that bans work.



Thanks again for taking the time and making the effort to contact me directly.



Sincerely,

David Hale

Current President of the Board of County Commissioners – Calvert County

Candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates – District 27B

***-***-**** cell

[email protected]

 

[bbrins]

I also went ahead and asked the same questions to Del. Sue Kullen, here is her reply:

Bryan,



I strongly support second amendment rights. I co-sponsored the “Shall Carry” legislation last year and also co-sponsored the Constitutional Amendment for the Right to Bear Arms. See HB 529: Declaration of Rights - Right to Keep and Bear Arms



Unfortunately neither got out of committee. I have several people supporting me that advise me on gun issues, including a gentleman named Butch who works for Beretta in Accokeek and my father who collects guns and has been an avid hunter his whole life, as are my brothers. I am a pretty good shot and will get to Pintail Point for some clay sport fun next month.



When I was appointed people assumed that I would take guns away. I think I have surprised most. I have a working relationship with Jim Purtilo at Tripwire, the Maryland Gun Rights group.



Specific to your questions…I would not vote for a blanket assault weapons ban, I support “Shall Carry’ legislation, the ballistic fingerprinting I am not sure of, my buddy at Beretta was very critical of the fingerprinting program but when I spoke to our local State Police Commander he gave conflicting info. Tim Hutchins is a good friend (State Police Commander) and we have not had a chance to talk. So I need more info here before I can be 100%...trying to be honest here.



Now you know where I stand. I understand my competitor did not fill out the gun lobby survey so it will be harder to get his views publicly.



I strongly believe that I am in the House of Delegate to represent to people back home. If there is a huge piece of gun legislation I would expect people to let me know how they want me to vote. If you want to be on my list of people to talk to before I vote please send me all of your contact info. As corny as it sounds I work for you.



Please let me know if this was helpful and if I have earned your vote. If so I would appreciate you spreading the word among others who feel passionately about this issue. I will not let you down.



Sue Kullen

Delegate 27B

Beautiful Calvert County

www.KullenForCalvert.com

 

[Spot77]

Bryan,

Good job! It's been refreshing to read the survey responses that MSI has been getting and the responses you got are fantastic. I'd say do whatever you can to help these two get/stay in office.

 

[nico]

I have a working relationship with Jim Purtilo at Tripwire, the Maryland Gun Rights group.

that may, or may not, be a good thing. But that's a whole 'nother thread

 

[Spot77]

Dwyer's Pro Gun Record

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Delegate Dwyer responds to attacks by MFPO and Jim Purtilo

I have remained silent while Mr. Purtilo has publicly attacked me. You may have read in his August newsletter his claim that I am the reason the attempt to repeal Ballistic Fingerprinting failed. He goes on to admit to you (the reader) that pro-gun groups who look at the record, not the rhetoric, have named Dwyer’s (my) defeat a priority. I would sure like to know other than MFPO, what pro-gun group has targeted me for defeat.

Following is my legislative record in response to this attack. To date, you have only read one side of the story, its time you hear my side. I am a member of the House Judiciary committee where gun issues are heard and I know first hand what went on.

The tension between Mr. Purtilo and I began shortly after Delegate Carmen Amedori refused to sponsor the “Right to Carry” bill because of the attacks on her by Mr. Purtilo. When Carmen no longer wanted the RTC bill, I asked her to allow me to sponsor and fight for it. She agreed and I became the lead sponsor of Maryland’s right to carry legislation. You may recall the nasty attacks on Delegate Amedori. They too were unwarranted and mean spirited.

To my shock and amazement, shortly after I filed the “Right to Carry” bill, Mr. Purtilo and Jennifer Palmer representing the NRA, lobbied me to withdraw it. They argue still today that the RTC bill will be turned into a gun ban if it goes to the House floor and that we need a low-key handling of gun issues. This is a flawed premise. If the liberals wanted a gun ban on the House Floor, it would have been there. That is because they have the votes and they control both the House and the Senate. To confirm this, simply look at the record number of veto overrides.

Every year Mr. Purtilo and Jennifer Palmer lobby me to lay low and not push for RTC and every year I have refused and have held fast that I will continue to fight for your Constitutional rights.

Mr. Purtilo indicates that I tried to have the NRA removed from Maryland. The truth is that after several years of being lobbied to withdraw the RTC, I began to question the NRA agenda for Maryland. I knew that the NRA claimed that they were fighting for RTC across America but here in Maryland there seemed to be a different plan so I decided to write the NRA and ask for their official position regarding Maryland. I was told that because of the liberal makeup of the Maryland General Assembly, the NRA does not believe its wise to put an RTC bill on the floor. They fear that it will be turned into a gun ban. I disagree. I believe that until we put a bill on the floor for a vote, we do not know who the enemy is. Without a vote, there is no proof that our friends are really our friends.

During the 2006 legislative session Mr. Purtilo with Mrs. Palmer and a process server at his side, served me with a summons. The charge was that I refused to obey the Freedom of Information Act. The court found that I had not violated the law and threw out the case.

Mr. Purtilo claims that I am responsible for the failure of the attempt to repeal Ballistic Fingerprinting. What he fails to tell you, is the following:

In 2003 HB579 (Ballistic Fingerprint Repeal) was sponsored By: Delegates Smigiel, Dwyer, Costa, Sossi, and Walkup it was Entitled: Handguns - Identification Requirements – Repeal. Synopsis: Repealing the requirement imposed on specified handgun manufacturers to provide to handgun dealers shell casings of projectiles discharged from handguns and specified additional information; and repealing the requirement imposed on handgun dealers to forward shell casings and specified information to the Department of State Police Crime Laboratory. The bill did not get out of committee.

2004 HB410 sponsored By: Delegates Smigiel, Dwyer, Boteler, Cluster, Costa, Elmore, Impallaria, Jennings, Kach, McConkey, Myers, Sossi, Stull, Walkup, and Weldon Entitled: Handguns - Identification Requirements – Repeal. Synopsis: Repealing the requirement imposed on specified handgun manufacturers to provide to handgun dealers shell casings of projectiles discharged from handguns and specified additional information; and repealing the requirement imposed on handgun dealers to forward shell casings and specified information to the Department of State Police Crime Laboratory. The bill did not get out of committee.

2004 HB251 sponsored By: Delegates Kelly, Amedori, Boutin, Edwards, McKee, Myers, O'Donnell, Owings, Shank, Stull, and Weldon Entitled: Public Safety - Handgun Identification Requirements - Repeal Synopsis: Repealing a provision that establishes a procedure for the collection and reporting of handgun shell casing information; etc. The bill did not get out of committee.

2005 HB179 sponsored By: Delegates Cadden, Conway, and Smigiel Entitled: Public Safety - Repeal of Procedure for the Collection and Reporting of Handgun Shell Casing Information - Personalized Handgun Technology Report Synopsis: Repealing a provision that establishes a procedure for the collection and reporting of handgun shell casing information; and requiring the Handgun Roster Board to report on the status of personalized handgun technology once every 3 years instead of annually. The bill did not get out of committee.


2006 HB12 sponsored By: Delegate Smigiel Entitled: Repeal of Procedure on Shell Casing Information - Timing of Report on Personalized Handgun Technology. Synopsis: Repealing a provision that establishes a procedure for the collection and reporting of handgun shell casing information; and requiring the Handgun Roster Board to report on the status of personalized handgun technology once every 3 years instead of annually. The bill did not get out of committee.

Now that I am fully involved in my re-election campaign, Mr. Purtilo has taken two more shots at me by sending two slanderous postcards into my legislative district. Fortunately, the postcards have had the reverse of Mr. Purtilo’s intended effect.

I have represented you to the best of my ability. Just to be certain that you know where I stand on your issues, I have listed below the gun bills that I have sponsored or co-sponsored over the past four years.

2003

Co-Sponsored HB 579 Repealing the requirement imposed on specified handgun manufacturers to provide to handgun dealers shell casings of projectiles discharged from handguns and specified additional information; and repealing the requirement imposed on handgun dealers to forward shell casings and specified information to the Department of State Police Crime Laboratory

Co-Sponsored HB 583 Repealing the prohibition against a dealer selling, offering for sale, renting, or transferring in the State specified handguns unless the handguns are equipped with an external safety lock or an integrated mechanical safety device; and repealing requirements relating to specified duties of the Handgun Roster Board.

Co-Sponsored HB 744 Authorizing a law enforcement agency of a county or municipal corporation to allow a current or retired law enforcement officer to keep or acquire the handgun assigned to the officer under specified circumstances.

Co-Sponsored HB 858 “Project Exile” Prohibiting a District Court commissioner from authorizing the pretrial release of a defendant charged with specified crimes; requiring a judge to consider as a rebuttable presumption that a defendant charged with specified crimes will flee and pose a danger to another person or the community; prohibiting a specified panel of judges, when reviewing a sentence, from decreasing a mandatory minimum sentence imposed for crimes involving firearms under specified circumstances; etc.

2004

SPONSORED HB 859 “Citizens Protection Act 2004” RTC Altering the requirements and procedures for application for, and issuance of, a handgun permit; altering and eliminating specified fees; eliminating modified and limited handgun permits; eliminating the requirement that the holder have a good and substantial reason to carry a handgun; requiring an applicant to meet specified criteria and conditions to obtain a permit; requiring the Secretary of State Police to approve or reject an application for a handgun permit within a specified period of time; etc.

Co-Sponsored HB 410 Repeal Ballistic Fingerprint Repealing the requirement imposed on specified handgun manufacturers to provide to handgun dealers shell casings of projectiles discharged from handguns and specified additional information; and repealing the requirement imposed on handgun dealers to forward shell casings and specified information to the Department of State Police Crime Laboratory.

Co-Sponsored HB 414 Repealing the prohibition against a dealer selling, offering for sale, renting, or transferring in the State specified handguns unless the handguns are equipped with an external safety lock or an integrated mechanical safety device; and repealing requirements relating to specified duties of the Handgun Roster Board.

2005

SPONSORED HB 1211 “Citizens Protection Act 2005” RTC Altering the requirements and procedures for application for, and issuance of, a handgun permit; altering and eliminating specified fees; eliminating modified and limited handgun permits; eliminating the requirement that the holder have a good and substantial reason to carry a handgun; requiring an applicant to meet specified criteria and conditions to obtain a permit; requiring the Secretary of State Police to approve or reject an application for a handgun permit within a specified period of time; etc

Co-Sponsored HB 297 Crimes Committed with Firearms - Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Imprisonment at Hard Labor

Co-Sponsored HB 527 Transportation of Firearms Modifying a specified exemption from the prohibition against the wearing, carrying, or transporting of specified firearms to allow stops along the way to and from specified activities for rest and refreshment.

2006

SPONSORED HB 859 “Shall Issue” Repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

SPONSORED HB 1162 Women and Children's Protection Act of 2006 Allowing women to carry for the purpose of the protection of herself and her children…establishing qualifications for a permit to wear, carry, or transport a handgun for women.

Co-Sponsored HB 529 Declaration of Rights - Right to Keep and Bear Arms Establishing a constitutional right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home, and State, and for hunting and recreational use; and submitting the amendment to the qualified voters of the State of Maryland for their adoption or rejection.

Co-Sponsored HB 660 Making it a misdemeanor to use any firearm in the commission of a crime of violence or a felony, whether or not the firearm is operable at the time of the crime; etc.

Co-Sponsored HB 587 Crimes - Use or Attempted Use of Stun Gun on Law Enforcement Officer – Prohibition. Prohibiting a person from intentionally using or attempting to use a stun gun on another if the person knows or has reason to know that the other is a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of the officer's official duties; establishing criminal penalties for a violation of the Act; and defining specified terms

Co-Sponsored HB 660 Criminal Law - Use of Firearm in Commission of Crime. Making it a misdemeanor to use any firearm in the commission of a crime of violence or a felony, whether or not the firearm is operable at the time of the crime; etc.

Co-Sponsored HB 1382 Regulated Firearms - License Issued by another State – Reciprocity

Specifying that a license to carry a regulated firearm, including a concealed regulated firearm, issued by another state to an individual is valid in Maryland

In closing, I would just like to ask your opinion regarding RTC legislation. I just need a simple yes or no reply. Do you want me to continue to submit RTC legislation if I am re-elected?

If you respond, Please include your complete mailing address and phone number. I will publish the results of the response and I will NOT disclose your contact information to anyone. It has been my pleasure to represent the interest of the gun community.

Constitutionally yours,


Delegate Don Dwyer, Jr.
House Judiciary Committee


P.S. Regarding the “Repeal of Ballistic Fingerprinting”, none of the bills made it to the floor. There was no deal as Mr. Purtilo has indicated! The only gun issue we won on was holding back the AWB. As session ended I spoke to Chairman Vallario of the judiciary committee. He told me that if we had NOT had the RTC bills there would have been nothing to prevent him from sending the AWB to the floor for a vote. As result, the RTC bill was a great help in defeating the AWB according to Chairman Vallario.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Delegate Dwyer is asking for your responses regarding ccw bills. I would point everyone (Including Delegate Dwyer to this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=211581 in which 35 of 51 respondents voted for ccw as their key issue.

 

[Norton]

I guess Dwyer is a bonafide pro-gun legislator after all, in spite of the heat he's taken from the NRA and Tripwire:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Larry Pratt, Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Pl Suite 102
Springfield VA 22151
PH: 703-321-8585

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Annapolis Maryland: Maryland Delegate Don Dwyer, Jr. has been awarded the prestigious “Legislator of the Year” from the Nationally acclaimed Gun Owners of America. From state legislatures and city councils to the United States Congress and the White House, Gun Owners of America represents the views of gun owners whenever their rights are threatened. Americans have lost some of our precious gun rights and we want them back! This is why GOA is considered the "no compromise" gun lobby. Delegate Dwyer has proven himself a "no compromise" legislator.

Delegate Dwyer has raised the issue of gun owner’s rights to a point where he cannot simply be ignored in Maryland. In 2004 he sponsored HB 859 along with 42 co-sponsors providing bipartisan support for the “Citizens Protection Act of 2004” He also co-Sponsored HB 410 Repeal Ballistic Fingerprint in that same year. In 2005 he sponsored HB 1211 along with 35 co-sponsors providing bipartisan support for the “Citizens Protection Act of 2005” RTC
In 2006 he sponsored HB 1163 along with 36 co-sponsors providing bipartisan support for Maryland’s “Shall issue” legislation by repealing the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit to the person.

“Gun Owners of America is proud to recognize Delegate Don Dwyer. Jr. for his steadfast leadership in defending the right to keep and bear arms in the Maryland General Assembly” said Mr. Larry Pratt as he presented Delegate Dwyer with the award.

 

[Helmetcase]

Apparently the Purtilo faction is now going after AGC and John Josselyn as well. Between their senseless attacks on Dwyer, and now going after John simply because he refuses to denounce MSI, I think he's finally been shown out for what he is: an overgrown spoiled brat who's bummed that gun rights in MD isn't his exclusive domain any more.

He and Jen Palmer and Doug Gross can fornicate themselves with a chainsaw. I'm done being nice about it.

 

[bbrins]

I have a working relationship with Jim Purtilo at Tripwire, the Maryland Gun Rights group.

That right there is what made up my mind on which one to vote for. Yeah, Purtilo ticks me off too.

 

[News Shooter]

Alex Mooney

Since you asked..Alex Mooney (R) http://www.alexmooney.com/
is in a big primary fight against the libs who are putting a lot of money against him. I know him and know his support for the Second Amendment.
Help if you can

 

[Spot77]

Oh yeah, Senator Mooney always gets a little $$ from me. He and Nancy Jacobs have always been good friends to us.

 

[Old Gaffer]

Very mixed feelings

Greetings One and All.

I'm completely torn up about the coming elections. Even though I'm a life-long registered Republican, I can not in anything approaching a good conscience vote for any Republican this time, simply because I honestly believe that the Bush administration must be stopped in its tracks, and the surest way to do this is to ensure that the Dems take both houses of congress.

Fortunately - or not, as one 's point of view dictates - I'm a federal employee and am prohibited by law from participating in partisan politics. So while I can't go out and campaign for a partisan candidate, neither can I be coereced into doing so by a political-appointee supervisor.

As important as I believe RKBA to be, I can not allow it to be the defining issue in my voting this fall.

I now return control of the soapbox to the next person in line, and will wait respectfully, reading all opinions in support and contrary to my own.

All the best,
Rob Weaver

 

[chaim]

Forgive me for being a little OT here, but are you aware of any community response to Mayor O'Malley's "blue light" cameras being installed on just about every block of the Park Heights Jewish corridor?

I don't like them much (yes, it is a dangerous neighborhood; yes, it was partially a response to the attacks against the Jewish community; no, it doesn't actually do anything since many of the cameras aren't even monitored and even those that are, well, at best the cops will watch something happen). However, I don't really talk to people in the neighborhood much about the cameras so I have no idea what people think of them.

 

[Norton]

Old Gaffer,

Welcome aboard.....glad to see you made it over from the other board.

I don't totally disagree with you at the National level, but you shouldn't confuse that at all with what we're primarily talking about here. The people that we're analyzing and talking about at the state level are those that support RKBA, regardless of party.

Also, state level Republicans tend to be be closer to their true roots and not at all like those currently wielding the power down in DC.

The good news in MD is that if you want to restore a balance of power you can vote Republican because the Dems have such an overwhelming proportion of the power in the state house.