2019 Session - Legislative Report #5
February 8, 2019
Greetings!

For decades, some segments of the firearms community have generally ignored the massive increase in gun regulation. Hunters, trap, skeet, and sporting clay shooters and the black powder shooters never felt threatened because nobody was trying to limit their lever action.30-30 or shotgun. Now they and their guns are square in the sights of the anti-gun liberals in the Maryland General Assembly

The anti-gun faction in Annapolis is now proposing legislation which would subject these firearms to the same background checks and limitations as currently apply to handguns. If SB 737 becomes law, rifles and shotguns will be regulated and restricted in the same fashion as handguns. Training and long gun qualification licenses will be required for purchase. Private sales will be prohibited and the MSP will be building a database of long guns and their owners. We predicted that this would eventually happen, but our warnings were ignored by many gun owners who are now about to get a serious reality check.

SB 737 is a remake of O'Malley's Firearms Safety Act of 2013 (AKA FSA 2013) with the focus shifted to rifles and shotguns.

Hearings on most of the gun bills have been scheduled. It should be noted that they have departed from the "normal" days and "normal" times we saw in past decades. See the hearing schedule below. Daily updates will be available by clicking on the links below.

Today is the House bill deadline so we can expect some additional activity before the next report is published. As of 11:35 pm last night, 9 gun bills are scheduled for introduction today, and this was only Part A of the list. Part B will probably be published later today (Friday). Detailed information is not available as of this writing. Watch the website for updates in "near real time." See notes below.

Please continue to encourage your friends and colleagues to join the 2A Maryland Legislative Email list in order to receive the latest updates and information as soon as they become available. I am again asking that every reader recruit an additional three new subscribers to the 2A Maryland legislative email system.

Your past efforts increased the size of the email list by just over 16%. Well done! Please keep up the effort!

John H. Josselyn
2A Maryland

Bill Information Download Links:
This document will be updated during the day, Friday, February 8th.
Keep checking back for updates.
This document will be updated during the day, Friday, February 8th.
Keep checking back for updates.
Scroll down for links to Committee and MGA contact information.
Senate Bill Hearing Schedule
February 12, 2019 @ 12 PM - Tuesday SENATE - JPR

No Position
 February 13, 2019 @ 12 PM - Wednesday SENATE - EHEA

No Position
February 22, 2019 @ 12 PM - Friday SENATE - JPR
 
Oppose
February 26, 2019 @ 12 PM - Tuesday SENATE - JPR

House Bill Hearing Schedule
February 12, 2019 @ 1 PM - Tuesday HOUSE- APP

No Position
February 25, 2019 @ 10 AM - Monday (this is not a typo) HOUSE - JUD

No Position (crossfile SB 0013)
 
Oppose

Oppose

No Position (crossfile SB 0166)

No Position (support SB 0015 instead)

Oppose (crossfile SB 0441)

SUPPORT (crossfile SB 0115)
 
Oppose

NEW Gun & Hunting Bills
New Bills Filed Since Legislative Report #4 last week:
(This list does not include the House bills listed for introduction today on the House floor.)

GUN BILLS :

Expanding the existing law requiring that all firearms to be locked up if unsupervised minors could gain access. This is a change from existing law which required that only loaded firearms be locked up. Redefining the term minor from a person under 16 years of age to a person under 18 years of age. Adding definitions for certain locking devices/containers and providing a prison sentence of up to two years and/or fine. Existing law stipulates only a fine of up to $1,000. Oppose (crossfiled bills)

Prohibiting a school-approved sport, club, or course of instruction from using l ead ammunition in training, practice, or athletic competition. No Position
 
A very clean bill which adds personal protection and self-defense as a good and substantial reason for a carry permit. SUPPORT (crossfile SB 0115)
 
Altering the definition of "regulated firearm" to include the previously excluded Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle and imitations. Would likely ban the sale of many of the similar firearms currently on the market. Oppose

A bill to prevent public school systems from expending any funds to train or arm teachers. More of a statement of the sponsors’ opposition to arming teachers than meaningful legislation. No Position
 
Directing the Maryland Attorney General to conduct a study of firearms use in crime. Largely duplicates what the ATF already does. More of an excuse for the Attorney General to expend taxpayers’ money to write yet another anti-gun statement supporting more gun control. Oppose
 
Allowing law enforcement agencies in the western counties to transfer, sell, trade forfeited firearms to an FFL who could then in turn, sell them to citizens. Support
 
A simple bill to allow citizens to replace lost, stolen or destroyed “assault weapons” provided the replacements are registered with the Maryland State Police. Support
 
Briefly stated, this bill is O’Malley’s Firearms Safety Act of 2013 all over again except instead of handguns it deals with all rifles and shotguns. Key elements are: long gun qualification license, 7 day waiting period, one long gun per month. Private sales will no longer be private, they must go through a dealer, and the transaction recorded by the Maryland State Police (registration). Persons moving into Maryland will have to register their long guns. Severe penalties. Strongly Oppose

HUNTING BILLS :

To authorize the DNR to allow Sunday hunting of deer on designated public land during the deer hunting season. Support

Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer during the bow hunting season on certain property from the first Sunday in October through the second Sunday in January the following year, inclusive, in Dorchester County, subject to certain provisions of law. Pending
 
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on Sundays during the deer muzzle loader season on certain property in Dorchester County, subject to certain provisions of law. Pending
 
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow a person to hunt deer on the second and third Sunday of the deer firearms season on certain property in Dorchester County, subject to certain provisions of law. Pending
BILLS REPORTED PREVIOUSLY
HOUSE GUN BILLS
 
A limited scope bill to authorize Baltimore City school resource officers to possess and carry firearms on school property. No Position

HB 0092 - Public Safety – Handgun Permits – Payment of Fees
Altering the manner in which an applicant for a handgun permit is required to pay a certain fee to allow any method of payment approved by the Secretary of State Police. Current law requires checks or money orders. No Position (crossfile SB 0113)
 
HB 0095 - Public Safety – Firearms Disqualifications – Antique Firearm (Shade's Law)
To add and include antique firearms to the list of firearms a person who is prohibited from owning or possessing. This bill was prompted by a domestically related homicide in which the perpetrator used a black powder pistol. Antique firearms and replicas of antique firearms are not federally regulated and thus a NICS check cannot be done. While antiques and replicas might be confiscated by law enforcement; there is no means for a dealer to identify a person who is prohibited, and thus no means to prevent a subsequent purchase.  OPPOSE
 
HB 0096 - Public Safety – Regulated Firearms – Transfer
A terribly flawed bill to define the term “transfer” of a regulated firearm as anything other than a temporary gratuitous loan where the owner and borrower remain in the same location. OPPOSE

Upgrading the use of a firearm in a crime of violence or felony from a misdemeanor to a felony offense. Maintains the current 5 year mandatory without parole and adds a minimum 10 year sentence up to a maximum of 20 years for a second offense. Person convicted is not eligible for parole until after the mandatory minimum sentence has been served. Provides that the sentences shall be consecutive and not concurrent with sentences for convictions on other charges. No Position (crossfile SB 0166)

A simple personal protection/ self-defense as "good and substantial" except with a fatal flaw. Page 3, Section 2, lines 7-14 tie carry permits to funding mental health programs. We are not responsible for mental health and connecting firearms legislation with mental health issues is not in our best interest. There are better bills, e.g. SB 0115. No Position

Prohibiting a county board of education or public school from spending any money from any source to directly or indirectly provide a teacher with a firearm or train a teacher in the use of a firearm; and providing the Act does not apply to a school-approved sport or club that makes use of firearms. No Position

SENATE GUN BILLS
 
A wide spectrum bill to ban, with certain exceptions, the manufacture of firearms on 3D printers or other computer-controlled devices, banning the possession, sale, transfer of these firearms was well as the technology to manufacture. Oppose

Providing that a person may not be denied the right to purchase, possess, or carry a firearm solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis. Does not negate the federal law relating to firearms possession and the use of controlled dangerous substances. No Position
 
Altering the manner in which an applicant for a handgun permit is required to pay a certain fee to allow any method of payment approved by the Secretary of State Police. No Position (crossfile HB 0092)
 
Revising the existing statute which requires that a citizen who wishes to obtain a permit to carry a handgun must complete an expensive training course as a prerequisite to apply for the permit to carry a handgun. The language of this bill would revise the statute to reverse the order and allow the applicant to obtain a preliminary review and determination regarding he applicant’s eligibility for a permit to carry before investing the time and money in training only to be denied a permit to carry a handgun. Limiting the amount of time the applicant has to complete the training. SUPPORT
 
A very clean bill which adds personal protection and self-defense as a good and substantial reason for a carry permit. SUPPORT

Waives the requirement for submitting fingerprints as part of the application process for a permit to wear and carry a handgun if the applicant’s fingerprints are already on file with the Maryland State Police. Does not address why the fingerprints are already on file.
No Position (Note: This bill to be withdrawn by sponsor.)

Upgrading the use of a firearm in a crime of violence or felony from a misdemeanor to a felony offense. Maintains the current 5 year mandatory without parole and adds a minimum 10 year sentence up to a maximum of 20 years for a second offense. Person convicted is not eligible for parole until after the mandatory minimum sentence has been served. Provides that the sentences shall be consecutive and not concurrent with sentences for convictions on other charges. No Position (crossfile HB 0236)

A "carve out" bill which would waive training for certain law enforcement and corrections officers. It contains nothing which would benefit the typical gun owner. No Position

A terribly flawed bill to define the term “transfer” of a regulated firearm as anything other than a temporary gratuitous loan where the owner and borrower remain in the same location. OPPOSE
HOUSE & SENATE HUNTING BILLS:

Adding Washington County to the list of counties where a 50 yard safety zone for archery hunting is existing law and also requiring that archery hunters shoot from an elevated position when hunting between 50 and 100 yards from dwelling etc. Pending

Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to allow Sunday hunting of migratory birds on certain private property and on public land designated for Sunday Hunting.
Pending

Authorizing a person in Wicomico County to hunt deer on private property on the first Sunday of bow hunting season in November and each Sunday in the deer firearms season. Support

Allowing Sunday hunting of wetland game birds in certain counties, adding Cecil County and also permitting Sunday hunting of quail in Cecil County. Bill also contains language limiting certain trapping activities and certain types of traps. Pending
 
Adding Harford County to the list of counties where persons with a crop damage permits from the DNR can hunt deer out of season. Support

2019 Maryland General Assembly (MGA)
2019 Maryland General Assembly
Email Address PST Download for Outlook
Maryland General Assembly Email
All of the Maryland General Assembly email addresses, room numbers, photos, etc., in a single downloadable file.

Important Notes on the Outlook PST download:

Every reasonable effort has been made to secure this file. However, the user is advised that 2A Maryland / Mt. Washington Rod & Gun Club assume no liability directly or indirectly connected to the user’s download and use of this file.

The file contains the following major groups: full general assembly, full senate, full house. Also, groups for the following committees: Senate Judicial, House Judiciary, Senate Environmental, House Environmental, Senate Budget, House Ways & Means, House Appropriations, House Government Operation.
DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS
MGA Condensed
Maryland General Assembly by District and Office, room number, and phone extension numbers. This is the short single page form commonly used by 2A activists during gun bill hearings. 
MGA by District
A listing by election district of all the members of the Maryland General Assembly. Including information on chamber, committee assignment, office address, phone numbers, hyperlinked emails addresses, and party affiliation.
MGA by Committee
A listing of the primary Committees in order of interest to gun owners. Including information on chamber, committee members’ names, office address, phone numbers, hyperlinked emails addresses and party affiliation.
2A Maryland Legislative Information Web Pages
Legislative Home Page
Gun Bill Tracker
Gun Bill Synopses
MGA Contact Info
2A Related Links & Info
Maryland Gun Laws
John H. Josselyn
2A Maryland
2A Maryland © 2017-2019

The information contained on this website is the property of 2A Maryland and may not be copied or reproduced in full or in part without proper and full attribution to John H. Josselyn, Mt. Washington Rod & Gun Club and 2A Maryland.