My letter to Del. Zirkin, a true anti

[greyhound]

What do y'all think? I want a box checked in the State House as "anti gun control" and "pro CCW". I thought maybe I went a little too "all over the map", but what the hey.......

(BTW, this guy was a sponsor of MD's proposed AWB, which they hustled up just in case the Federal ban sunsets. I have no hope of really changing his views, but enjoy tilting at windmills and at least letting in them know we don't all feel like they do.)

Dear Delegate Zirkin,


I am writing at this time to urge your taking a leadership position in the return of the right to self defense for the citizens of Maryland. Despite some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation, Maryland continues to rank amongst the highest states in the rate of violent crime. The current system of harsh gun control is clearly not working.

Thirty-six of the fifty states in the country have adopted shall-issue concealed carry laws. These states have experienced a drop in violent crime rates, and there have been none of the "Wild West" shootouts over parking spaces or the last can of peaches in the market, as was predicted by groups opposing these measures.

In our post 9/11 and DC sniper nation, gun sales in Maryland have been steadily increasing, especially among women, who have traditionally been the strongest supporters of the type of gun control you have favored.
Attitudes here are changing.

While I am aware that Maryland does technically have a may-issue concealed carry permit, it is the most difficult to obtain of the small number of may-issue states. Maryland is really among the tiny number of no-issue states. And we are way behind the trend: since 1994 the number of shall-issue states has gone from 15 to 36 (possibly 38 by the time this letter reaches you).

Bobby, I proudly voted for you in the last election, and can clearly recall your dedication in standing at the corner of Crondall and Owings Mills Boulevard in the early morning hours greeting voters. But I have to admit I have become a one issue voter, and unless I see a change in your record regarding our Second Amendment rights, I will not support your re-election. Even to only support another anti-Second Amendment candidate: I would at least have a chance to convert them to supporting the changing attitudes of Marylanders towards concealed weapons permits in particular and useless gun control in general.

Sincerely,
Greyhound

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd say your letter is pretty good, although probably a waste of time, paper, and postage: attempting to reason with anti-Second Amendment bigots is a lot like trying to teach pigs to dance: you get all muddy, and they still don't learn to dance.

...unless I see a change in your record regarding our Second Amendment rights, I will not support your re-election.

I always tell my elected misrepresentatives I'll not only not vote for them, but contribute money and work for anyone who's running against them—and then follow through.

 

[JBP]

It's OK to vent but trying to convince any state representative in the 11th District to be anything but anti-gun is a wasted excercise.

 

[greyhound]

I hear ya, but here even the Republican candidate is more than likely to support gun control. I'll go so far as to vote for another anti-2A candidate, but won't part with any hard earned brass.

I recently visited the Sainted GF's parents in Alabama and I can't BELIEVE the difference in attitudes about firearms there. For crippesakes they were selling guns at yard sales down there! Up here you can count the minutes till someone called the cops if you tried to sell a rifle at a yard sale!:banghead:

 

[greyhound]

It's OK to vent but trying to convince any state representative in the 11th District to be anything but anti-gun is a wasted excercise.

I know, but I'm convinced the Maryland Democratic Party in general is keeping tabs on the number of pro- and anti- gun control letters in general, so I can fool myself into thinking I am helping.

Also, that little voice says that before 9/11, could anyone have thought we would elect a Republican Gov. in 2002? (Admittedly one only marginally interested in 2A issues.)?

 

[ojibweindian]

Alabama is pretty gun friendly, compared to other states. I do, however, wish that we would become a true shall-issue state instead of the may-issue we are now.