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MSI Update – 1/8/13
In this issue:
1. General Assembly Begins Tomorrow – January 9
2. A Note on Informal Meetings TBA
3. Legislation of Note
4. 2nd Amendment Resource Room
5. Volunteers Needed for NRA’s Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show
6. Silverado Gun Shows
7. A Note On Background Check Times

General Assembly Begins Tomorrow – January 9

Our favorite time of the year is already upon us. Come noon tomorrow, the 2013 Regular Session will be underway. Like previous sessions, we can expect the usual types of bills filed by the usual people that aim to restrict our rights as firearm owners. Unlike previous sessions, however, those people will be attempting to capitalize upon tragedies for the purpose of political gain. Our opposition is emboldened and mobilized in a way perhaps never before seen, and we must be prepared to act quickly and decisively. Maryland Shall Issue® will be monitoring the legislative actions in Annapolis and as always will provide you with the information that you need to become an active participant in the defense of your rights.

We expect a series of bad bills to be filed in the coming weeks – bills which will need our collective efforts to defeat. We cannot be more emphatic: the best way to fight back against bad legislation is to consistently make your voice heard. Emails are a great way to reach out to legislators in a quick and nearly effortless fashion, but we know that phone calls and actual letters sent through the mail have a greater impact. Not surprisingly, you can have the most impact showing up to Annapolis to both testify at the public hearings on legislation that affects us (dates TBA as legislation is filed) and visiting with representatives in person. Have a short chat with them – let them know where you stand. We understand that some of this might be intimidating to those who have not done it in the past, but we encourage you to look beyond those concerns and take a stand.

A Note on Informal Meetings – Dates/Times TBA

To that end, we are in process of setting up and scheduling a number of informal gatherings across the state over the next couple of weeks. These won’t be official MSI meetings per se, but will be facilitated by Officers and/or Executive Members of Maryland Shall Issue®. Our goal for these meetings is to organize newer members and provide them with some background information on how to attend hearings in Annapolis and meet with legislators. We hope that our members will come away from these meetings having had some of their concerns allayed about going to Annapolis.

Legislation of Note

We can expect quite a bit of legislation to be filed in the coming weeks as the legislative session begins, but to this point, only three bills have been pre-filed that have caught our attention. They are as follows:

HB 28 - Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law Enforcement Officer – NO POSITION
This bill seeks to lengthen the time period for which a retired LEO’s carry permit is valid. MSI is taking no position on this bill at this time.

HB 35 - Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Active Assignment Exception – NO POSITION
A number of our members have contacted us regarding this bill, but please rest assured that this bill is no cause for concern at this time. The bill deals only with law enforcement, not the general population. As such, we are not taking a position on the bill.

HB 38 - Handgun Permits - Applicant Qualifications – STRONGLY SUPPORT
Filed by Delegate Smigiel, this bill seeks to address the inequities found in Maryland’s carry law by repealing the “good and substantial reason” clause that has long restricted the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm in the state of Maryland for the purpose of self defense. We strongly support this bill and the efforts of those lawmakers in Annapolis who support our cause.

What We Need You To Do – Contact members of the House Judiciary Committee using the Quick Email Tool. Let them know that you support this bill and politely urge them to do the same. We will let you know when the public hearing on this bill is scheduled. We encourage you to make every effort possible to be in Annapolis on this day to support this bill. Even if you don't submit testimony, your presence in the hearing room shows the committee members that our community is keeping a watchful eye and is prepared to put action behind our words. If you're in need of material to support your position, see the next item.

2nd Amendment Resource Room

MSI’s website is now home to a virtual resource room packed with links to data, articles and studies relative to the 2nd Amendment, which can be found here: http://getthefacts.marylandshallissue.org We hope that you will visit this page often and direct others to do so as we seek to educate and inform people on our issues. We further encourage you to contact us at web@marylandshallissue.org if you have a suggestion for something you would like to see in the resource room.

Volunteers Needed for NRA’s Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show

MSI will be at the 4th annual Great American Hunting and Outdoor Show sponsored by the NRA on January 25-27. MSI Executive Members will be the core staff of our booth, to handle interaction with the public, and to provide guidance to the other members who will be staffing the booth. We are not going to be able to do this with the usually small group of people. This event will be huge and we will need more help than usual. Please don’t be concerned if you have never worked an event like this in the past. All that is needed is a desire to help, an understanding of the issues that concern us, and a willingness to talk to fellow shooters.

We expect our booth to be very busy and as such will need volunteers from our membership to help staff it. If you can take one or more of the following dates/times, please send an email to info@marylandshallissue.org and let us know.

Friday, January 25
1:00-4:00PM
4:00-7:00PM

Saturday, January 26
9:00-1:00
1:00-4:00
4:00-7:00

Sunday, January 27
9:00-1:00
1:00-5:00

Silverado Gun Shows

MSI would like to thank the good people of Silverado Gun Shows for the opportunity to meet with you at their shows. Silverado has graciously extended their hospitality and support to MSI, and we look forward to seeing you at their shows soon. Running a gun show is tough, especially in the state of Maryland. Check the Silverado schedule at http://silveradogunshow.com/schedule.html and support those who support your rights. More details to follow

A Note On Background Check Times

We have been in touch with the Maryland State Police regarding delays in processing of regulated firearm transfer paperwork. Recent sales have overwhelmed the licensing division: normal volume is 4,400 applications per month; December volume was over 11,000. January does not appear to be letting up much. We may be entering a "new normal" in sales volume for some unforeseeable time.

The MSP asks for patience. They assure us they are working as quickly as they can to clear the backlog, within the bounds of the law. As we move forward in the legislative cycle, it is important to support an increase in funding for this office. If the state lawmakers insist on additional background checks, they must fund those doing the work at a level consistent to meeting their goals.

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