Bad things are afoot for Utah CCW holders visiting PA.

Many of my fellow Marylanders have permits to carry from states like Florida, Virginia, and Utah.  And those of us in that last category are now officially screwed if we want to visit Pennsylvania.  MikeW posted this info to his facespace wall, and I promptly forgot to share it, but the good folks at Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training shot an email out this morning.

With Bryan's permission, I'm posting his email in its entirety:

May 16, 2014

Folks, There have been some recent developments with the Utah Concealed Firearms Permit and the reciprocity/recognition with the state of Pennsylvania.  As of 5/6/14, the state of Pennsylvania no longer recognizes the Utah CFP.  The following is a link to the Attorney General's office in PA which clearly states this: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/crime.aspx?id=184 Normally when a state comes on or drops off, I don't send out these notices as I clearly state in all classes that it is the permit holder's responsibility to check laws before traveling.  However, given the proximity of PA to MD, I felt an obligation to send out this notice as soon as I received knowledge of it.  Please do NOT travel into PA under the provisions of the Utah permit.  You are NO longer covered. Basically, the AG in Pennsylvania, Kathleen Kane, was a Michael Bloomberg backed candidate and unfortunately got elected.  She is doing everything she can to make it more difficult for gun owners and this is just the latest incarnation of that. There is not much more I can add to this email.  If anything changes I will send out another notice.  At this point, according to my research and talking with many other instructors, etc., your only choice to be able to carry in Pennsylvania is openly.  As you may remember from class, I do not particularly endorse that idea.  However, options have been severely limited at this point.  If you are a MD resident with a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit, you can get a PA permit from a local county sheriff.  I am sending this email out to about 5000 people in my email list.  The above information is clearly stated an stands on it's own.  I am as upset as I am sure most of you will be as I am sure many of you took this class with the sole intentions of being able to carry in PA.  I can NOT field questions or comments from that many people.  Please do not contact me with "that sucks" comments, I already know that!!  Again, I sent out this info as soon as I received it.  As of the last Utah class we conducted, PA was still on board.

Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training | 410-796-7715 | guntraining@verizon.net | http://www.midatlanticfirearmstraining.com

This is bad stuff, folks.

Martin O'Malley is doing an AMA(Ask Me Anything) on Reddit TODAY at 10am.

Here's more information from Maryland Shall Issue:
Govenor Martin Omalley will participate in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on the popular website Reddit.

The AMA will be on May 5th beginning at 10am. We are encouraging ALL Maryland gun owners and 2nd Amendment supporters to ask tough questions. In recent MSI updates, you have seen how the "experts" who testified in favor of SB281, when placed under oath, have changed their stories.

This is an opportunity for Maryland's 2nd Amendment community to ask hard hitting and well thought out questions that expose the faulty logic that SB281 is based on.

The AMA will be held in the AMA section of Reddit. http://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/


Copies of Sworn Depositions:
Copy of the Deposition of Daniel Webster: https://www.marylandshallissue.com/share/d-daniel-webster.pdf
Copy of the Deposition of Christoper Koper: (this link went to the Dan Webster deposition, presumably it's somewhere on the MSI website)



EDITED TO ADD: he changed the time to 9am, and it's live right now http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/24rpqs/i_am_martin_omalley_governor_of_maryland_ask_me/

Maryland HQL license requirements (and other stuff).

I took a Utah CCW class through Mid Atlantic Firearms Training, and they added me to their mailing list.  Fortunately they're not spammy so I tend to pay attention when I get something from them.

Earlier in the week, they sent this out to customers.  I've asked permission to reprint it in its entirety here:

Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training  October 6, 2012

Folks, We are sending out this email as a courtesy to those of you who may have some questions regarding the new firearms laws that have gone into effect in Maryland on October 1, 2013.  This is known as the Firearm Safety Act 2013 aka SB281. Like many of you, I did everything I could to protest, discourage and stop this bill from being signed into law.  However, that did eventually happen and here we are 1 week later.  At this point, it is no longer theory or "what if", rather it is a reality and now we deal with it's implementation. We have been quite silent in sending out too many announcements as it became clear the law would go through as it seemed everything was in a state of flux and in reality, things are still in a state of flux.  However, we do now have some more concrete info we can share that will hopefully help you understand how this law may/may not affect you and if you will need to acquire further training under it's provisions.

Handgun Qualification License and Training Requirements I am going to outline the requirements for the Handgun Qualification License hereby referred to as HQL and the training requirements. Under the Firearms Safety Act 2013 also known as SB281, all new handgun purchasers must apply for and receive a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before purchase.  This HQL must be presented to the FFL or gun shop.   There are certain individuals who exempt from the handgun qualification license: A Licensed Firearms Manufacturer. Active law enforcement officer or a person retired in good standing from a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State, or a local law enforcement agency of the State. A member or retired member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard.  (This may apply to quite a few of you.) A person purchasing, renting or receiving an antique, curio or relic as defined in federal law or in determinations published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  (For those of you who deal with C&R firearms) The above listed individuals or entities must provide acceptable documentation to the dealer or FFL prior to purchasing a regulated firearm.  Do your self a favor, save a trip and bring it with you. There are certain individuals who will need an HQL but are exempt from a further training requirement:    Have completed a Maryland State Police (MSP) approved certified firearms safety course Have completed a course of instruction and been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Is currently a qualified handgun instructor Is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard. Is an employee of an armored car company who has a valid Wear and Carry Permit issued by MSP. Lawfully owns a regulated firearm.  If you own a regulated firearm prior to October 1, 2013, you are not required to complete the training and may apply for the Handgun Qualification License. Pay particular attention to the last bullet point as that will affect many of you.  In other words, if you already own a handgun you will NOT be required to take the HQL training course, BUT you will need to apply for the HQL if you want to purchase any future handguns. Soooo, the question is:  What if I need HQL Training?? If you are in the category of individuals who will need to take the HQL training course, we certainly have you covered as well as your other firearms training needs.  The course will be a 4 hour course mandated by law that includes the following main topics: State Firearms Laws Home Firearms Safety Handgun Operation and Mechanisms Live Fire Component (obviously we provide the gun and ammunition) For a more detailed course description please visit the HQL page on our site at: Handgun Qualification License Training As usual, we will provide a COMPLETE course including help with the application if needed and discounts on LiveScan Fingerprinting services(required by MSP).

I hope you have found this information helpful and if you need our assistance please know we are there to help you through this confusing maze of new laws as well as provide the quality training you expect and we demand of ourselves.  We ask that you share this email with family and friends who may be thinking of purchasing a handgun for the first time.  I can tell you there are "Instructors" coming out of the woodwork looking to capitalize on this "opportunity".  Please let your family and friends know of your positive experience with us and send them our way.    Sincerely,    Bryan Fletcher Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training

ATTN: MD residents who have legally purchased HBARs and AR10s out of state.

The police may be coming for you.

I'd like to know who's making all these random decisions without notifying the public.

Looks like Marylanders are even *more* screwed.

If you're shopping for anything restricted, it's now completely up to the state police to determine whether you're permitted to have it.  They're no longer using NICS.  According to a Redditor who called a few FFLs, the FBI sent a letter to all FFLs specifying "all FFLs in MD may no longer use NICS (instant background check that most dealers use) for handgun, "other" (receivers), silencer, or AOW purchases. The release of those items is now at the absolute discretion of the Maryland State Police."


In short, we're even more screwed.  There goes my suppressed SBR plan. :\



Edited to add: thanks to FightinBluHen51, I have more info.  I need to read more about it.

I'm ashamed of my legislators.

Maryland truly doesn't deserve to be called the "free" state anymore.

This isn't democracy.

This is pretty disgusting. No matter your thoughts on guns, this isn't how voting should happen.

This needs to stop.

SB281 - more effort is needed, folks.

Go read. And keep the phone calls coming.

So SB281 went to the House.

And the final testimony was heard at almost 4AM on Saturday morning.

Here's one gem from the day:



More later.

Beretta's off the bench.

I have a thought.

Jay (and just about everyone else) has mentioned a couple of companies are no longer willing to work with law enforcement in states like New York and California. Sean has started keeping track of this list of companies, and will keep it updated as more companies join the list.


I have a suggestion.

Why not contact your favorite gun/ammuntion/gear manufacturer, and suggest they join in the boycott. Congratulate these companies for what they're willing to do, and urge them to show their support of this effort.

At best, it will bring this movement to their attention; at worst, they'll say no.



It was something that occurred to Chris the other day and I figured I'd voice that to you folks. What do you think?

I want Gayle Trotter to be my friend.

I really, really do.

Well, yesterday I was optimistic.

Today, not so much. This was Senator Jamie Raskin during yesterday's hearing:

(Alternate link here, in case that one disappears. You may also want to embiggen it, to see just what game he's playing.)

If you wish to tell him precisely what you think about this, here's his contact information:
Jamie Raskin
(410) 841-3634, (301) 858-3634
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3634 (toll free)
e-mail: jamie.raskin@senate.state.md.us


Also worth sharing:

I went to my first protest/rally today.

I drove down to Annapolis with a female friend in tow, and we were amazed. I'd estimate about three thousand pro-2A people showed up for the rally, and we FILLED the MD Senate building. They had to shut down the building - it was at capacity. We had folks from Maryland Shall Issue, Maryland Shooters Forum, the NRA, and I believe I spotted one of the Alans from the 2AF...that, or he has a twin running 'round Annapolis.

So, an observation: the crowd at the rally was possibly the most polite and respectful crowd I've had the pleasure to be around. I'm slightly agoraphobic in certain situations - for example, the photos of the Ravens rally yesterday made me nervous - but I only felt a slight amount of ohgodTOOMANYPEOPLE near the end, while waiting to sign the testimony book. This group of men, women, and yes, children, really helped to put a pleasant face on what many folks down in Naptown think is a big evil monster. I'm proud to be a part of it, and given the opportunity I think I'd go back down for similar reasons.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to testify. We stood in line for over 2 hours just to be told we wouldn't be allowed in. I have faith my fellow protesters said some fantastic things. I just hope we have a prayer of making a difference. I'm told Beretta has threatened to leave Maryland if SP281 gets passed, and I trust them to follow through with that threat. If anything has an impact on my state senators, that might. Maybe. I hope.

And because I remembered to take a photo, here's a crappy picture showing the amount of people who were there:

The crowd filled that ENTIRE square, plus maybe another hundred people on the steps immediately in front of me, and another 100 or so in line to get in the Senate building. SO MANY PEOPLE. More pictures and updates have been and will be posted here, here, and probably in other threads in that section of MDS. Please feel free to keep an eye on them.


Also, as we were leaving, "someone" in a police motorcade, two tour buses, and a guy with a Mini-14 hanging out the back of the last car in the motorcade caused the trolley we were in to practically beach itself on the curb. Thanks, nitwit. So glad to know you felt the need to show off your might.

AMEN, sir.

via SayUncle.

Well, this makes a bit more sense.

The Maryland GOP released their alternative plan for gun control. Here are the bills as released.

My thoughts?

HB424: This should already be in place.
HB165: I don't disagree with this, but I don't have children. I can't rightly agree or disagree to it. Parents, what do YOU think?
HB663: It's about time we had instant checks. I hate knowing that people are currently stuck waiting about a month for the OK to take home their new gun(s).
HB38: YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES.
HB211: I don't disagree with preventing those with mental disorders from possessing a firearm. I just question what guidelines would be in place to determine the severity of an individual's disorder, and how severe a disorder must be to prevent someone from possessing a firearm.

Please note, these opinions are based entirely on the summaries presented in that article. I will try to get some time to read the full bills this week, to better understand them.

FYI: If you were going to participate in the rally in Annapolis on Wednesday...

It sounds as though the President will be in town. Chances are the rally will be off, but bodies are still needed for the hearings.

CORRECTION:NOTHING IS CANCELLED. The rally and the hearings are going to happen as planned.

Attention Marylanders.

There's a survey going around. Please go fill it out. This is being sent directly to Senator Miller, so be polite.

Thanks!

Another handy-dandy gun facts site, complete with infographic.

Courtesy r/guns.

Gary Johnson on Reddit NOW.

He's answering questions here, for now. He's already answered more questions than the President. Pity the electoral college won't give the guy a chance.

Anyway...click through to the IAmA if you're curious. Ignore this completely if you aren't. :)


ETA: Here's a round-up of important questions answered. He answered others, as well. Nearly tripled the questions answered by the President.