this was out on the MD RKBA mail list today:
http://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/qod.shtml
As of 8:30 am this date: 96% favor concealed carry / 4% oppose
The question of the day:
CURRENT QUESTION:
Do you think Maryland citizens should be
allowed to carry handguns for protection?
It's against the law for Maryland residents to
carry a handgun without having a specific
reason, but one Baltimore County man is
determined to change that. Bob Scherr
marched into the courthouse Friday prepared to
take aim at the law. The attorney and radio talk
show host has long been a proponent of
personal protection. "Law abiding citizens have
a right to own and carry guns," says Sherr, "The
police cannot protect people. The police are the
people you call after the crime is committed."
So last year, Scherr filed an application asking
for a permit to carry a handgun and the state
refused to grant it. Right now, if you want to
carry a handgun in Maryland, you must apply for
a permit and prove to the state police that you
have a substantial reason to carry one. Scherr
took his handgun fight to a circuit judge. He filed
a suit challenging the state law, which bars
citizens, like him, from carrying a handgun.
Assistant Attorney General Mark H. Bowen
argued, "There have been no threats against
him, no attacks upon him and his general
statement of 'I'm a citizen and I need a gun,' is
not substantial reason to have a permit." Scherr
feels that the laws don't stop criminals from
having guns because criminals don't care about
the law. He feels that the law stops law-abiding
citizens from owning guns for protection against
armed criminals. Scherr is now awaiting the
judge's opinion. The fight over handguns in this
state is in the hands of the court. Currently, 36
states in this country allow residents to carry
handguns.
)