ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN ON FAST TRACK IN ANNAPOLIS

(8 February 2004) Gun control is all the buzz in Annapolis and has displaced slots and budget as the main topic of discussion in our capital. Everyone knows the hearing on banning so-called "assault weapons" will occur on Tuesday, and everyone also knows what kind of reaction is building in our community. This is the big showdown and we need your maximum effort to survive.

YOUR MISSION for the week of February 9: contact key Senators on the Judicial Proceedings Committee and express your strongest opposition to *any* new gun control under consideration. Yes, that was the mission this last week, and we need you to call again. And again. POUR IT ON. Legislators gauge how much they can get away with by how loudly we cry foul. Any group that can muster a big effort now is seen as one that can muster a big effort at the polls, and that is what deters tyranny. MAKE THE CALLS. give us something to work with. Details below.

TO NON-MARYLANDERS, as always we say welcome, and hope what you learn here will help you deal with anti-gunners where you live. Watch closely how the left wing here seeks to affect presidential politics by slanting the terms of debate towards ground of their own choosing. Maryland's battle over so- called "assault weapons" may have national impact ... that's what they want!

Here's what you need to know! -- Jim

1. ABOUT THE BILL - A COMPREHENSIVE BAN ON MOST SEMI-AUTO FIREARMS

Senate Bill SB-288 proposes to BAN the possession of so-called "assault weapons" in Maryland. What is an assault weapon? Proponents define this by starting with ANY SEMI-AUTO FIREARM that takes a detachable magazine and then checks if it has any cosmetic feature they don't like. Then it bans "copycat guns" - anything that the state thinks resembles an assault weapon. And it gets to decide what that is later! To top it off, the bill mandates registration of any such firearms that are already in private hands by a certain date. But because the state can retroactively ban any gun it wants later, you might not have known to register your gun with state police in time - That puts you in possession of instant contraband, which will get you years in jail. See for yourself at http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/billfile/sb0288.htm

2. HERE IS WHAT TO DO

a. During the week of 9 February, call each of these three key Senators and tell them NO to the assault weapons ban:

  • Senator JOHN GIANETTI (410) 841-3141 -or- (301) 858-3141
    john_giannetti@senate.state.md.us
  • Senator LEO GREEN (410) 841-3631 -or- (301) 858-3631
    leo_green@senate.state.md.us
  • Senator JAMES BROCHIN (410) 841-3648 -or- (301) 858-3648
    jim_brochin@senate.state.md.us

    YES, send email too, but calls numbers are what we need to run up now. Be polite, identify yourself and say you want the Senator to strongly oppose SB 288 and ANY new gun control. It is perfectly appropriate for you to call back a few days later to give your message again; after all, you need to know the Senator has received your input. (Calls from outlying areas can be made toll free by dialing 800-492-7122 and then asking for the 4 digit extension listed above.)

    b. Call each of the rest of the Senators on the Judicial Proceedings Committee with the same message. They are at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/05judp.html

    c. Have everyone you know call too! Volume of calls COUNTS. Our goal is to ensure that no office staff member can hang up the phone without it immediately ringing with a call from another irate gun owner. This is an all-hands operation and is not a drill. DO IT!

    The hearing on this bill will occur on FEBRUARY 10th at 1PM in Annapolis. Attend if you can, in the James Senate Office Building. Park at the Naval Academy stadium on Rowe Blvd ($4 for the day), take the trolly in (they'll let you off just where you need to be) and after you go through security go to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing room on the second floor. Dress upscale, come early if you can (to lock up key seats for our side) and don't give up the moral high ground by indulging rude behavior. Sign up to speak if you like - have your say! You need only express your opposition. This is still America - you have every right to do this -- and you SHOULD.