(March 22, 2002) Here is your key action item for the coming week: VIGILANCE!

The majority of gun bills, good and bad, are now on their way to the history books. But it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings, and she hasn't even started warming up yet. As recently as the last 48 hours -- and that's a full week after leadership pronounced 'gun stuff dead' for purposes of the election -- hard core senators on the left tried to amend an administration 'anti-terrorism' measure to have anti-gun provisions. This amendment proposed on the floor was beaten back by a 2-1 margin (showing that not every bill need become what insiders call a "Christmas tree" for carrying pet legislative ornaments into law.)

Other measures of great concern to us remain active and advance, not the least of which is proposed change to the Public Information Act. On Monday we alerted you to muster in opposition to HB 1024. The bill as proposed would have the effect of neutralizing one of our strongest tools for exposing anti-gun antics in Maryland. The calls came in and you showed what focused grassroots effort can do: By the time bill was passed out of committee yesterday, it was amended to remove all changes to the language about what information could be withheld. YOU DID IT! There is still the potential for the other side to indulge in mischief on the Senate side, but at this time watch and stay ready to act again.