HB517 Recap (Was "Information on Getting There") - Page 5

Simon Yu · February 27th, 2008, 12:28 AM

Just back from Annapolis a little while ago, stopped to eat dinner along the way.

The hearing itself finally ended at 8:20 PM. I didn't testify, but I stayed for the whole thing. For those of you that wanted to make it but had to work, next time try calling some of us that attend, you might still be able to make it (and bring food for those of us that have been there since noonish)

It was an exhausting day. There were a lot of bills being discussed, a number of which interested me even though I was not initially aware of them. Unfortunately, they had to start the day with a bill involving the laws around "wiretapping" electronic communications and the back and forth between the delegates and the bill sponsor that were obviously far more familiar with the legal aspects than the actual technical aspects made my brain numb. I've both studied and done an internship related to some aspects of the topic and having to sit there while the committee had no expert witness to clarify things was painful.

Allowing the three supporters of the bill to testify early in the afternoon but making the opposition wait until the evening was a bum move and delegates knew it. During one of the later bills, delegate Kelly made mention about the crowd of gun owners that can be screwed under current legislation if a bill he supported was not passed. Our friends certainly appreciated our wait today.

The support for 517 was anemic. Burns did so much backpedaling trying to make the bill seem less idiotic that he could have left skid marks and there didn't seem to be much confidence in his voice. Kind of felt like he was aware he had been hoodwinked by Russ Ford at times.

The other delegate supporting the bill made the audacious statement that the only thing guns were being used for by her people was to kill. If it weren't for the long, long wait for the opposition, the folks representing the Baltimore area gun clubs would have torn her a new one.

I'd say it's safe to write this one off as dead. Even delegates we frequently don't see eye to eye on said as much. We just have to do a followup round of e-mails/calls/letters to finish putting the nails in the coffin and to bring up points we might have thought about during the hearing itself or forgot about.

I'm physically exhausted but emotionally uplifted by the days events. Seeing quite clearly that we're not alone in this makes all the crap we deal with in this state much more bearable. Watching Smiegal go on the attack was one of the most hilarious and gratifying things I've seen. I had a chance to talk with some of the people in various organizations dedicated to the cause out in the hall and also with the NRA rep (he didn't speak himself, but he submitted testimony and stayed for the whole thing) and a Second Amendment Sister representative on the way back to the parking lot. The various parties involved in the cause may not always agree, but there's an understanding that each one matters.

I'll be sending out an e-mail to followup the testimonies of the day and also throw my two cents in for some of the other bills that caught my attention. But after some much needed rest.

ChannelCat · February 27th, 2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

I thought Burns was going to explode. He said he didn't believe in the right to carry and that it would cause mayhem.

Maybe it’s a good thing that I was hung up at work after all. I’ve been sneezing like crazy from some kind of allergy of late, and after that asinine and totally predictable comment, I would have been tempted to do one of those classic sneezes where one sneezes the word “BULLSH!T!”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

Trbon8tr and I passed Ford and his pubescent lobbyist/handler out at the bus stop. He gave me a little nod and I said, "Good luck in your other states with this because it's not going to pass here."

That Ford guy sounded like a total prick, feeding and profiteering off of attacks on our civil liberties at the hands of others. I hope this nonsense crashes and burns everywhere.

In any event, a big thank you to all who attended this obviously grueling hearing!

Simon Yu · February 27th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Oh, and since there was talk of stickers while I worked on my monster post . . . how are things looking for patches Don? I could use something that goes with my overcoat better than a t-shirt

smores · February 27th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Thanks to all that went, I was at work!

Good thing this bill didn't go anywhere

novus collectus · February 27th, 2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHunter

And yea Novus, I kinda thought that was a tangent you went off on, but I just thought I was getting tired...

What, you mean my mention of China and powder actuated tools as well as the Philipino curtain rods was a tangent????

(By the way, for those not there, I really did bring that stuff up.)

ChannelCat · February 27th, 2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Yu

The other delegate supporting the bill made the audacious statement that the only thing guns were being used for by her people was to kill.

If that's not a racist statement, I don't know what is!

DD214 · February 27th, 2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novus collectus

What, you mean my mention of China and powder actuated tools as well as the Philipino curtain rods was a tangent????

(By the way, for those not there, I really did bring that stuff up.)

Now you see why I warned you about licking toad asses before legislative hearings!

epc3762 · February 27th, 2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD214

Now you see why I warned you about licking toad asses before legislative hearings!

Novus, Are you one of those that don't even need drugs to be like that?

Thanks to those who attended and to all who posted the hearing information... really awesome recaps. and they all tied in very well. Time to get the writers cramp and start pounding out letters again...

such a waste.

MDHunter · February 27th, 2008, 01:18 AM

Here are some of the people who gave opposing testimony - not everyone, but those organizations being represented:

Remington Arms
Federal Arms
MD Association of Firearms Retailers
MD Shall Issue
Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore
MD Sportsmen's Assn
Western MD Sportsmen's Assn
2nd Amendment Sisters

Norton · February 27th, 2008, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD214

Does that really surprise you? I think they do that intentionally, hoping that we will grow weary and leave before our turn to speak.
.

It doesn't surprise me, but I've never seen it taken to such an egregious level as this. I need to get smart about this and stop taking days off and just zip over after my last class.

I hope that some of our friends on the committee let the Chairman know what bad form this was.

Norton · February 27th, 2008, 06:56 AM

Just remembered something regarding examples of Burns' backpedalling that Simon Yu mentioned.

He wants to put an amended version in that would exempt long guns.

It's a false premise, because there are virtually no cartridges that are exclusively rifle cartridges. It was at that point that I realized that even Burns knew this thing was dying.

Norton · February 27th, 2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpickering

Norton,

With your permission, can I post your summary on my blog? I was unable to attend the hearing but did write in opposition to the bill.

Matt

Go for it.

Boxcab · February 27th, 2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDHunter

One thing I forgot:

...Delegate Gerron Levi... She ALSO SAID:

"You guys sure know how to do a mail campaign, and how to have a presence in person at the hearings."

Our hard work is paying off guys! A good reminder that our letters and presence do make an impact, even when they don't agree with a particular bill.....

She just needs positive Press coverage for CCW and I believe she would vote for it. Right now she feels her hands are bound by public opinion.

"Good Job" to ALL that attended, we are visable and making a statement that is being heard if not acted upon (YET)!

-Boxcab

frozencesium · February 27th, 2008, 08:18 AM

I don't really post, but I do lurk. I was unfortunately unable to make it due to prior commitments, however, I am very glad that we made a strong showing and helped shoot this thing down. I, for one, and breathing a sigh of relief.

Corsica Coatings · February 27th, 2008, 08:26 AM

BIG BIG THANK YOU to all who attended!!!

We owe you guys a bunch!!!

Bang · February 27th, 2008, 08:36 AM

Now how long does it usually take for them to vote on what to do with this bill and report findings?

Spot77 · February 27th, 2008, 08:58 AM

As somebody said earlier, we need to follow up with emails, letters and phone calls reminding them of the devastation the proponents of this pos bill took yesterday.

DD214 · February 27th, 2008, 10:04 AM

According to my logs, we had 10 individuals from the MD General Assembly check this site yesterday. I'm sure that there were even more who checked via their home networks as well. I guess they know that MDShooters is the place to go for up to the minute news and analysis on 2A issues in the state of MD

.

epc3762 · February 27th, 2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD214

According to my logs, we had 10 individuals from the MD General Assembly check this site yesterday. I'm sure that there were even more who checked via their home networks as well. I guess they know that MDShooters is the place to go for up to the minute news and analysis on 2A issues in the state of MD

.

I was watching what the guests were looking at yesterday and for many it was this thread.

Norton · February 27th, 2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD214

According to my logs, we had 10 individuals from the MD General Assembly check this site yesterday. I'm sure that there were even more who checked via their home networks as well. I guess they know that MDShooters is the place to go for up to the minute news and analysis on 2A issues in the state of MD

.

I left a few of the tri-fold brochures strategically placed in the room

February 27th, 2008, 12:43 AM	#84
smores Mr. Doom & Gloom Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 6,824 Images: 6	Thanks to all that went, I was at work! Good thing this bill didn't go anywhere __________________ "The political class is far beyond the ambition of ordinary thieves. Thieves only rob you, they don't set themselves up to rob your children into successive generations." *"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."* - Thomas Jefferson 1787 Burned. Inhaled. Thrown away. If it were anything but a cigarette, it would surely be crying.

February 27th, 2008, 01:18 AM	#89
MDHunter Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Frederick Posts: 143	Opposing Testimony Here are some of the people who gave opposing testimony - not everyone, but those organizations being represented: Remington Arms Federal Arms MD Association of Firearms Retailers MD Shall Issue Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore MD Sportsmen's Assn Western MD Sportsmen's Assn 2nd Amendment Sisters

February 27th, 2008, 06:56 AM	#91
Norton MSI Executive Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Annapolis Posts: 17,570 Images: 5	Just remembered something regarding examples of Burns' backpedalling that Simon Yu mentioned. He wants to put an amended version in that would exempt long guns. It's a false premise, because there are virtually no cartridges that are exclusively rifle cartridges. It was at that point that I realized that even Burns knew this thing was dying. __________________ Maryland Shall Issue is what stands between your rights and those that wish to infringe upon them. Why aren't you a member? Aren't your rights worth it?

February 27th, 2008, 08:26 AM	#95
Corsica Coatings Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eastern Shore just West of Centreville Posts: 309	BIG BIG THANK YOU to all who attended!!! We owe you guys a bunch!!! __________________ Class 07 manufacturer FFL Dealer in NFA and other arms Building AR's, AK's and Glocks 3 miles West of Centreville, MD www.corsicacoatings.com corsicacoatings@atlanticbb.net

February 27th, 2008, 08:36 AM	#96
Bang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Baltimore Co. Posts: 476	Now how long does it usually take for them to vote on what to do with this bill and report findings? __________________ "So what you are trying to say is i am good at laying cable, I just have trouble putting it in the right port?"

February 27th, 2008, 12:28 AM	#81
Simon Yu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rockville Posts: 1,336	Just back from Annapolis a little while ago, stopped to eat dinner along the way. The hearing itself finally ended at 8:20 PM. I didn't testify, but I stayed for the whole thing. For those of you that wanted to make it but had to work, next time try calling some of us that attend, you might still be able to make it (and bring food for those of us that have been there since noonish) It was an exhausting day. There were a lot of bills being discussed, a number of which interested me even though I was not initially aware of them. Unfortunately, they had to start the day with a bill involving the laws around "wiretapping" electronic communications and the back and forth between the delegates and the bill sponsor that were obviously far more familiar with the legal aspects than the actual technical aspects made my brain numb. I've both studied and done an internship related to some aspects of the topic and having to sit there while the committee had no expert witness to clarify things was painful. Allowing the three supporters of the bill to testify early in the afternoon but making the opposition wait until the evening was a bum move and delegates knew it. During one of the later bills, delegate Kelly made mention about the crowd of gun owners that can be screwed under current legislation if a bill he supported was not passed. Our friends certainly appreciated our wait today. The support for 517 was anemic. Burns did so much backpedaling trying to make the bill seem less idiotic that he could have left skid marks and there didn't seem to be much confidence in his voice. Kind of felt like he was aware he had been hoodwinked by Russ Ford at times. The other delegate supporting the bill made the audacious statement that the only thing guns were being used for by her people was to kill. If it weren't for the long, long wait for the opposition, the folks representing the Baltimore area gun clubs would have torn her a new one. I'd say it's safe to write this one off as dead. Even delegates we frequently don't see eye to eye on said as much. We just have to do a followup round of e-mails/calls/letters to finish putting the nails in the coffin and to bring up points we might have thought about during the hearing itself or forgot about. I'm physically exhausted but emotionally uplifted by the days events. Seeing quite clearly that we're not alone in this makes all the crap we deal with in this state much more bearable. Watching Smiegal go on the attack was one of the most hilarious and gratifying things I've seen. I had a chance to talk with some of the people in various organizations dedicated to the cause out in the hall and also with the NRA rep (he didn't speak himself, but he submitted testimony and stayed for the whole thing) and a Second Amendment Sister representative on the way back to the parking lot. The various parties involved in the cause may not always agree, but there's an understanding that each one matters. I'll be sending out an e-mail to followup the testimonies of the day and also throw my two cents in for some of the other bills that caught my attention. But after some much needed rest.

February 27th, 2008, 08:18 AM	#94
frozencesium It's not a matter of need Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MD Posts: 484 Images: 2	I don't really post, but I do lurk. I was unfortunately unable to make it due to prior commitments, however, I am very glad that we made a strong showing and helped shoot this thing down. I, for one, and breathing a sigh of relief.

February 27th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#97
Spot77 MSI Executive Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anne Arundel County Posts: 8,731	As somebody said earlier, we need to follow up with emails, letters and phone calls reminding them of the devastation the proponents of this pos bill took yesterday. __________________ Maryland Shall Issue www.marylandshallissue.org http://www.cbangler.com/ <- Chesapeake area fishing forum in its infancy

February 27th, 2008, 10:04 AM	#98
DD214 MSI Executive Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calvert County Posts: 8,959 Images: 26	According to my logs, we had 10 individuals from the MD General Assembly check this site yesterday. I'm sure that there were even more who checked via their home networks as well. I guess they know that MDShooters is the place to go for up to the minute news and analysis on 2A issues in the state of MD . __________________ War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. --John Stuart Mills Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions. --G.K. Chesterton

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