(October 6, 2003) Tripwire publisher Jim Purtilo today called on the Ehrlich administration to commission an independent study of assault-style firearms and their use in Maryland. Responding to the on-going drumbeat for more gun control, Purtilo declared "Let the public see proposed bans of assault-style firearms against the backdrop of the guns' actual use."

A full study will describe not only how infrequently such guns are used in crime, but also characterize the extent of their lawful sporting and personal protection uses. "In calling for bans, gun prohibitionist Senator Robert Garagiola stated the only purpose for these firearms is to kill. If that were true we should wonder why police arm themselves with so many assault weapons. The fact is police use them for defense, a right no less important for any citizen."

Purtilo asserts the administration's involvement is overdue. "Ehrlich's resounding silence on an issue everyone knew was coming begs for anti-gun fervor to build."

"Parris Glendening was famous for tasking sham commissions to dream up justifications for measures he had already promised Sarah Brady. Once he even appointed a paid anti-gun lobbyist to chair a commission. The least Bob Ehrlich could do is appoint a commission to expose the simple truth," said Purtilo, who predicted: "I'm confident in what the data will show: new gun bans will buy an expensive social agenda without improving public safety."

Today's call for Ehrlich attention to gun issues comes as a long-awaited report on another measure is overdue. Even though candidate Ehrlich promised he would look into ballistic fingerprinting - a gun control measure that has cost tax payers millions of dollars yet to date has not jailed a single criminal - it took budget language added by the General Assembly to mandate such a study, which was due on October 1. So far, no report - only more silence from the second floor.