Article on Maryland's New Laws in American Thinker 4/15

[ShallNotInfringe]

http://www.americanthinker.com/2013...ightmare_coming_soon_to_a_state_near_you.html

 

[Merlin]

http://www.americanthinker.com/2013...ightmare_coming_soon_to_a_state_near_you.html

That hits it on the head.

 

[ddeanjohnson]

http://www.americanthinker.com/2013...ightmare_coming_soon_to_a_state_near_you.html

While I am sympathetic to the the basic perspective on the law expressed by the author, Jonathan F. Keiler, in seeking to make his case he makes questionable statements about some provisions of SB 281.

For example, Mr. Keiler writes that the bill requires that would-be pistol owners must "take an eight hour classroom training course . . ." The bill actually requires a minimum of four hours of total instruction. Moreover, there are a number of exemptions from the training requirement, including an exemption that covers every person who already lawfully owns at least one handgun or other regulated firearm. This exemption substantially reduces the likelihood of the gridlock scenario that Mr. Keiler envisions.

Also, Mr. Keiler writes that the bill requires that as part of the training, applicants must "actually hit the range to be certified and licensed." There is no such requirement in the bill. The bill says that the training must include "a firearms orientation component that demonstrates the person's safe operation and handling of a firearm." That language replaced earlier language that would have required "a firearms qualification component that demonstrates the person's proficiency and use of the firearm." Perhaps even the final version will be interpreted in regulation to require live-fire experience, but the bill language does not force that construction, and to the extent that legislative history is consulted, it would seem to mitigate against it.

Mr. Keiler makes some excellent points about the irrationality of the provisions banning certain rifles.

My detailed summary of the provisions of the final, enacted version of SB 281 is here.

 

[gazingwa]

Well written, thanks for sharing. I think the author missed some of the changes to the bill but the overall message was good.