Breaking-MD State FOP Lodge officially OPPOSES Senate Bill 281

zoostation · Feb 12, 2013

The State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (the umbrella lodge of all the lodges in the state) released a statement today opposing SB281.

I do want to say this up front. I realize the language in this statement, while opposing SB281 and calling for "real" solutions from "real" experts

, still won't be as strong a condemnation of gun control as many of us may like. But remember we are dealing with a politically neutral organization here with a lot of people statewide with different opinions having input.

Regardless, this position will really help us with the "the police want the bill" arguments we will hear from the antis in Annapolis.

SENATE BILL 0281 OPPOSE
February 6, 2013 Senate JPR

The Maryland State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police stands OPPOSED to the Firearms
Act of 2013 (SB0281) as currently drafted and introduced.

Our organization, representing nearly 23,000 public safety professionals throughout the State,
recognizes and appreciates that the laws governing our great state are continually evolving.
The safety of our police officers, citizens, and children has always been the highest concern for
our organization.

We commend Governor Martin O’Malley for bringing these issues forward to the Legislature
and the citizens of Maryland. We have a tremendous opportunity to begin a much needed
dialogue about these issues with experts who truly understand firearms safety, public safety, as
well as the 2nd Amendment to the United State’s Constitution and all of the legal
interpretations that come with it.

The Maryland State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police formally requests that this proposed
legislation serve as the beginning of a dialogue. Further, we would like to be a part of that
dialogue along with real people, with real knowledge about these issues, so that we can
collectively look to further evolve the laws of our great state. We need legislation that will
withstand legal challenges, or not face legal challenges at all. We need legislation that is
properly vetted, studied, and reviewed for unintended consequences, and unnecessary,
improper, or unenforceable restrictions.

We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature, as we collectively seek
solutions that will protect our children, our citizens who legally own or choose not to own
firearms, and our law enforcement professionals who are tasked with enforcing these laws.

Contact: John “Rodney” Bartlett
President, Maryland State Lodge

HT4 · Feb 12, 2013

Excellent... I think.

Seagrave1963 · Feb 12, 2013

Good - maybe more will join in the call for some "common sense"

BradMacc82 · Feb 12, 2013

It's a good starting point.

Let's see how it's received by the powers that be (for the time being).

Atec · Feb 12, 2013

BradMacc82 said:
It's a good starting point.

Let's see how it's received by the powers that be (for the time being).

Its a start !

INMY01TA · Feb 12, 2013

I like.

Mooseman · Feb 12, 2013

The statement is not as strong as I would like it to be, but it still makes me happy.

Sev89 · Feb 12, 2013

It's better than nothing, or the alternative, that's for sure!

George · Feb 12, 2013

We was told of this letter on Feb 6th, It makes me feel better to actually see the letter.

Kudos to the FOP for standing up for what is right.

rambling_one · Feb 12, 2013

Excellent!

sykesville · Feb 12, 2013

MOM will still spin it and claim that they "are for my new gun control efforts" blah, blah, blah. But it is great to see they state they OPPOSE 281

zombiehunter · Feb 12, 2013

Is there something I can link to so I can post this on my Facebook wall?

Docster · Feb 12, 2013

Very good statement, especially this part,

We need legislation that will withstand legal challenges, or not face legal challenges at all. We need legislation that is properly vetted, studied, and reviewed for unintended consequences, and unnecessary, improper, or unenforceable restrictions.

They didn't use the words, 'common sense' and didn't come across as confrontational. That is important for all parties in this debate.

zoostation · Feb 12, 2013

zombiehunter said:
Is there something I can link to so I can post this on my Facebook wall?

I have this which is in an unsecure area on the state lodge website. It just shows 'opposed' but doesn't have the whole statement. As soon as I can find something like that available I will post it up.

http://www.mdstatefop.org/legislative/oppose.html

Robert · Feb 12, 2013

What does this really mean? Are the ~22K members going to stand up now that they've denounced it?

I'm looking for tangible benefits from this?

El_flasko · Feb 12, 2013

I guess that's as close to a win as can be expected. Good news tho!

joppaj · Feb 12, 2013

Robert said:
What does this really mean? Are the ~22K members going to stand up now that they've denounced it?

As much as anything else, it's a major PR win. It steals the anti's ability to claim "the police are calling for these laws".

HoCoShooter · Feb 12, 2013

Pretty impressive.

BradMacc82 · Feb 12, 2013

Atec said:
Its a start !

Agreed. Big movements can start from small beginnings.

Hopefully this signals the beginning of the end of all the gun-grabbing schemes in MD.

(That may be a pipe-dream, but it's a good dream dammit!!

)

JPG · Feb 12, 2013

Baby steps, great to see them. Hopefully stronger opposition language to come.

Breaking-MD State FOP Lodge officially OPPOSES Senate Bill 281

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