(2-15-2002) The Friday Fax focuses community attention on what's coming up the next week in Annapolis. Last week's targets were hit well.
The 'domestic violence' confiscation bills drew large numbers of calls, and the 'secrecy in government' bills we alerted you to drew so much flak that their hearings were cancelled and rescheduled. Good show! They aren't dead but they're winged.
Most gun bills are up for hearings in March, but that doesn't mean we can rest! Here's what you need to know in the week of February 18.
On Wednesday of this week, the House Ways & Means Committee will hear a proposal by Delegate Tim Hutchins to give a tax credit for purchasing a gun safe. If the bill is adopted, then you could deduct 50% of the purchase price of a safe from your income tax. We see this as using the carrot, not the stick, to promote safety. If you agree, then call the legislators below this week and let 'em know! Frankly, winning a tax break in hard economic times is a hard one, but it won't happen without your support. Phone numbers for committee members are listed below. The simple message their offices need to hear from you is: "Will you please ask the Delegate to support HB 27 ?"
Joseph Bartlett 3240
John Bohanan 3314
Bennett Bozman 3431
James Campbell 3297
Paul Carlson 3037
Mary Conroy 3098
Jean Cryor 3090
Clarence Davis 3257
Michael Finifter 3342
Janet Greenip 3223
Anne Healey 3961
Henry Heller 3528
Sheila Hixson 3469
Carolyn Howard 3065
Salima Marriott 3277
Robert McKee 3447
Obie Patterson 3012
Wendell Phillips 3283
James Ports 3365
Mary Rosso 3217
David Rudolph 3444
James Rzepkowski 3233
Mark Shriver 3046
Call any legislator's extension toll free at 301 858 xxxx or 410 841 xxxx
Two gun bills will be heard this week, proposals that were not scheduled as part of marathon 'gun day' hearings on tap for March. This usually signals leadership's intentions to treat them differently. These aren't up there with the licensing bills on fascism's hit parade, but our position is: NO NEW GUN CONTROL.
SB 448 proposes to make investigation of technical gun crimes the legal equivalent and priority of murder, rape or kidnapping. The bill will be heard Thursday, and each member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (listed in your January Supplement) must get our response to this proposal: "Get real! Please vote no on SB 448."
HB 671 proposes to revise Maryland's existing "machine gun law." The bill began as a technical correction in language for existing restrictions but then got carried away with ratcheting up penalties. Under this measure, a gun owner who satisfies the draconian levels of registration needed to lawfully possess such firearms could end up with several years mandatory jail time for making simple clerical errors on annual paperwork. MSP already goes after gun owners on technical violations. Don't give them an even bigger club to use on us. This bill will be heard Thursday. Call each member of the House Judiciary Committee with the message: "Please don't tinker with new gun control. Vote no on HB 671." [SB 398 is the Senate version of the bill, and will be heard the 27th. Get a start on next week's calls by contacting the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee with the same message.]
One of our favorite bills is HB 606, and it will be heard March 1. This bill would give specific legal protections to a citizen who must use deadly force in self defense. Right now a thug (or his estate) against whom you used force can sue you for having offended his delicate sensibilities. How dare you stop him from home invasion? HB 606 would halt this, and likewise stop an agenda-driven prosecutor for punishing you for being a survivor of crime.
We like this bill. So do the 47 Delegates who co-sponsored it. Give them something work with. Call each member of the House Judiciary Committee and say "I'm looking forward to your yes vote on HB 606."
We had good phone activity last week, but I know we can do a lot better. We've got two weeks for comment on HB 606, so let's get twice the calls, okay? Throttle up the engines, since by March we need to be at warp speed.