C'mon Write A Letter, Get A Ccw

UNCLE WAWA said:

GETTING CCW PASSED IN MD. ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN ON IT'S OWN

IT MAY ALREADY BE TOO LATE. START SENDING LETTERS AND E-MAILS TO YOUR/OUR MD. REPRESENTATIVES AND TELL THEM WE WANT CCW FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS NOW

IF WE DON'T TELL THEM WHAT WE WANT HOW ARE THEY TO KNOW ?
ISN'T THAT WHAT LOBBYISTS DO ?

SPEAK UP NOW !! TELL THEM WHAT WE WANT. GO TO MEETINGS CALL THEM !!!

IT'S UP TO YOU NOT THE NRA OUR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION. JUST US GRASS ROOTS GROW UP BE STRONG.

GIT ER DONE. PEACE OUT

UNCLE WAWA

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO.......THERE YOU ARE

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IDriveB5 said:

having never sent a letter to my political representatives, i wouldnt really know where to begin.

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novus collectus said:

KISS

Keep it simple and nice, but make sure the point is made. I haven't written one in years and that is what I plan on doing.

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Spot77 said:

The sooner the Democratic party drops it's anti gun stance, the sooner they'll attract boatloads of voters I would guess.

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helmetcase said:

Very true.

It's important we Dems and progressives and moderates start taking a pragmatic look at this issue. Spot, thanks for turning me on to this forum.

Those who haven't heard from me, take a look see at my website: www.progunprogressive.com

Can't judge a book by it's cover...even when it comes to gun rights!

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novus collectus said:

LMAO. I had no idea there were other pro-gun liberals like me..

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DD214 said:

Damn, I guess that invalidates the poster that I have on my wall at work titled 'Fun Facts About Liberals'. One of the points listed is "Liberals are constantly inflaming the culture war. They seem to forget which side has all the guns." I guess I'll have to scratch that one off.

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UNCLE WAWA said:

FOLLOW THE LINKS ABOVE IN RED. PICK OUT YOUR LEGISLATOR SEND HIM OR HER AN EMAIL. COPY LETTER TO YOUR CLIP B0ARD.
KEEP SENDING LETTER TO AS MANY LOCAL AND STATE LEGISLATORS AS YOU CAN. DON'T FORGET OUR FEARLESS LEADER GOV. EHRLICH.
LIKE THE LOTTERY, THE MORE YOU PLAY/SEND THE BETTER OUR CHANCES ARE

THANKS FOR CARING,
UNCLE WAWA

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-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005
To: Haddaway, Jeannie; Eckardt, Adelaide C.; Colburn, Richard
Subject: Some concerns


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SEN Colburn, DEL Eckhardt, and DEL Haddaway:

I moved from Annapolis to near Easton in February of this year. Being in a much more isolated area, and potentially having to deal with dangerous critters on the property (after being accosted by a few snakes), I decided to purchase a gun. All I had previously in the house were a pellet rifle and a BB pistol. The last handgun I owned was about 20 years ago. I started doing research, and, although I've been back in Maryland since 1986, I really had not paid attention to gun laws, I'm ashamed to say. What I'm finding is that Maryland's laws seem to protect criminals from harm and frustrate only law-abiding citizens. That sure seems to be contrary to what our laws should be doing.

I did buy a handgun, but I can't seem to get permission to actually take it to the firing range. It has been over two-and-a-half weeks since I filled out the paperwork at the gun shop, and it still isn't back from the State Police. I think it's ludicrous to expect that such a wait will really make a difference in public safety, except negatively in that I still don't have anything that can defend me and my family. Why would my government NOT want me to be able to defend myself?

In addition, I started looking at the laws regarding carrying the handgun and found that, only recently, was the provision added that allowed me to stop for gas on the way back from a firing range with an unloaded gun in the car. That's an indication of how arcane our laws are. Not to mention those laws associated with carrying a loaded weapon on my person. Thus, as I arrive at my isolated home, in the dark, I'm a sitting duck. Of course, the criminals don't have to worry about any of these laws because they, by definition, aren't law-abiding in the first place. So, what is the purpose? To increase penalties to law-abiding citizens that make a mistake and find themselves in violation? Or those who go against their consciences and violate the law on purpose because their safety is more important to them? What are we driving good people to do?

I'd like to add that, although I am apparently not trustworthy enough to actually possess the gun I bought over two-and-a-half weeks ago, I was trustworthy enough to fly fighters in the U.S. Navy, with bombs and ammunition on board (over land, within the U.S., not just over enemy territory -- I also completed about 217 combat missions in two theaters, while carrying a handgun that I'd been well-trained to use). I held security clearances that most people don't know exist, and continue to hold an active security clearance to this day because of my work with the Department of Defense and others. While I was an air wing commander on active duty, I was also in the Personnel Reliability Program, which is required for those in sensitive positions. It ensures that any risky behavior is immediately reported and may be cause for removal from the Program, withdrawing access to certain facilities, equipment, and/or information, specifically associated with nuclear weapons. I also had two tours of duty as a test pilot. And my last tour of duty before my retirement was as Director of Weapons Engineering for the Navy, responsible for engineering for all weapons (guns, missiles, bullets, flares, bombs, rockets, etc.) carried on Navy and Marine Corps aircraft.

In other words, I'm probably pretty close to being a model citizen. But Maryland doesn't trust me.

Now, I'm not asking for your assistance to allow me to get my gun, although I may, if it takes much longer. I wanted you to be aware of how the laws are affecting your constituents. I just want you to support pulling Maryland into the modern world. We are among the most restrictive states regarding allowing honest citizens to own and carry handguns, yet our crime rates are embarrassing (and scary). My brother lives in Georgia and is appalled at Maryland's laws in comparison to so many other states. Frankly, I'm ashamed to admit I'm from Maryland when talking about guns or crime or self defense. Our own state government treats us like we're children. And it hasn't worked.

We must change that, and I'd like you to do everything in your power to assist us become a state that actually reads the Constitution accurately ("individual" right, not "collective"; the Second Amendment is clearly not just to protect citizens from Congress passing laws, but state government taking away rights also). When courts have to stretch a point as far as they have to deny what's plain to anyone who can read, then we know we are far over the edge of that slippery slope. Surely, our Maryland lawmakers can see that. Just compare where we are to what laws your colleagues in other states have passed, as well as other State Constitutions.

I'm frequently a "contrarian", in that I look at things from other, even extreme, viewpoints to try to arrive at an innovative solution. When 9/11 occurred, I asked what would happen if every passenger aboard our airliners was issued a weapon as they boarded. Would there be another hijacking? I seriously doubt it. Now, I ask what would happen if every Maryland citizen were REQUIRED to carry a weapon? If police were permitted to make random stops and ask to see those weapons, and any citizens who were not armed were issued a ticket? I believe violent criminals would find another state to live in. Of course, we won't see that day; however, imagining what would happen certainly does point us in the right direction. A significant number of armed and trained honest, law-abiding citizens would significantly reduce crime and assist law enforcement.

We've tried one way, and it clearly has not worked. Please try the right way. Don't restrict the kinds of weapons, magazines, or ammunition that can be bought by law-abiding citizens. So-called "assault weapons" aren't used by criminals -- only law-abiding citizens. Allow law-abiding citizens to buy guns in a reasonable time (less than an hour's wait for a database check, for example), and allow law-abiding citizens to carry weapons without the kinds of impossible restrictions Maryland has today.

Thank you for your time and your support.

Sincerely,

XXXName
XXXAddress
XXXTelephone Number

----- Original Message -----
From: Senator Richard Colburn
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Subject: RE: Some concerns

Dear Mr. XXX:

Thank you for your e-mail outlining your concerns regarding firearms ownership. I also agree that Maryland is one of the most restrictive states with its regulations. I do support your views. However, I'm only one Senator, and the majority of the lawmakers have voted for the various restrictions. Maybe new legislators will be more tolerant in the future.

Sincerely,

Senator Richard F. Colburn

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Spot77 said:

Excellent job! Well thought out letters with excellent points raised.

I was under the impression that if your state police paperwork did not come back "disapproved" within 8 days you could pick up your handgun.

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