As described elsewhere in this newsletter, the latest gun law is deeply flawed, containing plain language making it a crime for anyone over thirty to legally buy a handgun. MSP and legislators downplay flaws; their paternalistic position is that no matter what the actual text says, they know what they wanted to implement and that’s what they’ll enforce.

Long time observers know that’s true: Maryland State Police have always more or less done what they want when it comes to enforcing (or even making up) a gun law. Their current reaction isn’t surprising.

But this isn’t the first time they’ve been exposed playing fast and loose with sloppy language. In the early 90’s, MSP form #77R (the application to buy a handgun) required applicants to swear that they knew state law prohibited handgun sale for any of several official reasons. The reasons were listed, and right there in the fine print next to ‘convicted of crime of violence’ and ‘fugitive from justice’ is: "Has never spent more than 30 consecutive days in a medical institution for treatment of a mental disorder…"

That’s right: it says you can’t buy a gun if you’ve never been treated for a mental disorder for over a month. A generation of handgun buyers failed to catch this double negative in the fine print. They just signed. Presumably they’re now guilty of perjury on a state form, and in the era of projects Exile and Disarm they can be put away for a long prison term if caught possessing a gun.

Oh but … that couldn’t happen. Trust Ceasefire to know what you meant. They’re sent from the government to help.