Maryland a Lost Cause

[Boondock Saint]

Nobody is "tossing out potshots from the sidelines".

Because of the Curran opinion, a warrant was secured based on the hypothetical charge the Maryland State Police "scored" my 180 day misdemeanor - a "scoring" they have never even informed me of. My home was searched by the Montgomery County Police and my firearms, rifles, pistols, shotguns, seized. I am not on the "sidelines", I'm right in the center of the field, and by the way, "potshots" are difficult to take when your firearms have been seized.

I have an attorney and I take this matter to the Administrative Law Judge in June. If I lose we are going to Circuit Court and if I lose there to the Appeals Court - and it will be money well spent.

I WISH I was on the sidelines. "People like me" however, have real "skin in the game." We just recognize how badly the deck is stacked against us.

And if you are looking for help from the Supremes, all you need do is look at how DC has evaded Heller.

It would seem that you have a hand in the fight, so I’m curious as to why are you approaching my post as if it were intended for you.

 

[tcb100]

I assumed you were talking to me because I suggested Maryland was a lost cause & moving was the only answer? If not, I apologize. I'm a tad testy over this crap. Believe me, I wish it were otherwise. I have lived in Maryland for 60 years and heading over to West Virginia was not something I was planning on until the events of last month.

But after talking to a very good gun-rights attorney, I am rolling a very big stone uphill. I'm not willing to let them get away with it without testing what my rights really are. I cannot believe for example, that search & seizure are allowed by the courts based on the State Police hypothetical charge (there is still a 4th Amendment right?), or that the Maryland hypothetical puts me in violation of Federal law, allowing them to sieze my rifiles?

But judging from what has happened, I suspect I am a candidate for the Don Quixote award.

 

[Drmsparks]

Don't give up hope.

I was recently told about a gentleman who testified up at the hearings in Annapolis who was arrested (and prosecuted) for CCW (even though he had a permit) and numerous other related charges all stemming from his defending (legally) himself during a car jacking attempt.

When it got before a judge, the judge dismissed all the charges and threw the case out.

 

[Norton]

Don't give up hope.

I was recently told about a gentleman who testified up at the hearings in Annapolis who was arrested (and prosecuted) for CCW (even though he had a permit) and numerous other related charges all stemming from his defending (legally) himself during a car jacking attempt.

When it got before a judge, the judge dismissed all the charges and threw the case out.

....and admonished the prosecutor.

 

[Luke 12:49]

No! Never compromise! Not even in the face of Armageddon!

....20 seconds in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDG0-SYvZ7E

 

[MDMOUNTAINEER]

I think we share sleeplessness based on what my clock says...I'm just saying we can't want the outcome of having to defend our life at fatal costs, not that we aren't willing to follow though. I simply think that in our day to day lives if we choose intelligently where we go we will not find the day to day need for the line of self defense. As for my father it is what it is. He has never owned a weapon since his Vietnam service, and believe me I wouldn't ever make even an unarmed move on the man as I learned when I was 16 and chose to be stupid. I don't want to have to kill anyone, I simply want to live and enjoy my family and rights in peace.

I don't think anyone WANTS to have to use lethal force. I know I surely don't. I hope to never have to draw my weapon in defense of myself or my family. But if I were in a situation with no other option, that's the last time I want to think "wow this never happened before, wish I had my gun".

 

[Biggfoot44]

Admonishing an elected Attny General or States Atty won't disuade them. A large section 1983 awards against them PERSONALLY will.

 

[Squaredout]

Don't give up hope.

I was recently told about a gentleman who testified up at the hearings in Annapolis who was arrested (and prosecuted) for CCW (even though he had a permit) and numerous other related charges all stemming from his defending (legally) himself during a car jacking attempt.

When it got before a judge, the judge dismissed all the charges and threw the case out.

Wow! I did not hear about this, nor was in made public. He had a permit and was still arrested and charged?

 

[Squaredout]

I don't think anyone WANTS to have to use lethal force. I know I surely don't. I hope to never have to draw my weapon in defense of myself or my family. But if I were in a situation with no other option, that's the last time I want to think "wow this never happened before, wish I had my gun".

True words if I ever heard them.

 

[Norton]

Wow! I did not hear about this, nor was in made public. He had a permit and was still arrested and charged?

yes, and he had clearly identified himself on the phone as not only the homeowner but also the victim. It was a messy thing.

 

[gtodave]

yes, and he had clearly identified himself on the phone as not only the homeowner but also the victim. It was a messy thing.

what County was that?

 

[Norton]

what County was that?

Montgomery - not sure if it was the county police or if some of the incorporated cities/towns have their own forces and, if so, if it was one of those forces.

 

[Squaredout]

Montgomery - not sure if it was the county police or if some of the incorporated cities/towns have their own forces and, if so, if it was one of those forces.

Norton, would you mind giving us details? It sounds interesting.

 

[Norton]

Norton, would you mind giving us details? It sounds interesting.

I'll probably invite him to the next MSI meeting.

 

[Squaredout]

Great! I'm sure he has an eventful story to tell. BTW when is the next MSI meeting

 

[gtodave]

Montgomery

Shocker. You could knock me over with a feather.

 

[Boondock Saint]

Great! I'm sure he has an eventful story to tell. BTW when is the next MSI meeting

You interested in a MSI tshirt? All the cool people have one: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=36336

 

[Squaredout]

You interested in a MSI tshirt? All the cool people have one: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=36336

Yes I am 2X or 3X would be great.

 

[texson66]

Maryland is known as both the Old Line State and the Free State.

Needs to be changed to "Maryland the Fee State."

Sadly, VERY True!

 

[Bigfoot21075]

Uh, are you kidding me? As one of those "civil servants," I can say that me and many of the other federal employees I know are gun owners and 2A advocates. And we're Maryland residents, just the same as you are.

Scapegoating this on federal employees is, IMHO, ridiculous. Talk to the masses in Baltimore City and the rest of the state where simply having a "D" after your name makes you supremely qualified for office. End the revolving door of Maryland politics, lack of Shall Issue only being a symptom of a deeper problem. Get some decent leadership in place, and only then will we see real change happen.

Until then, I'm sticking around and fighting the good fight. Coming just a few signatures short of getting HB52 voted-on, getting legislated civil immunity passed, and having McDonald on the horizon are all pluses in my book. Heck, I'm happy to see Ehrlich giving O'Malley a run for his money.

I'm not ready to throw-in the towel just yet.

You know, you have some great points. HB52 got voted on, that alone was a victory. There are more and more new gun owners popping up in MD all the time, that trend will not end any time soon either. Maybe we are not a lost cause....