MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO ABOLISH STATE'S HANDGUN PERMIT REVIEW BOARD (3575 hits)
For Immediate Release From Marylanders To Prevent Gun Violence!
he Maryland General Assembly voted Thursday night to abolish the state’s Handgun Permit Review Board.
The 87-47 vote of the House of Delegates follows the Senate’s passage of the legislation by a 30-16 vote.
The bill would dissolve the handgun board — which Democrats argue is too permissive in overturning and modifying Maryland State Police decisions on handgun permits — and allow handgun owners to appeal directly to a state administrative judge instead.
It now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk for his consideration.
Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, a Howard County Democrat who sponsored the House version of the legislation, said she expects Hogan, a Republican, to veto the bill.
“I’m anticipating him vetoing it. We have enough votes to override the veto, but at this point it will have to wait until we come back next session,” Atterbeary said. “This is really about process. It’s about who is better suited to hear these appeals: this board or actual judges.”
Sen. Pamela Beidle, an Anne Arundel Democrat, is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill.
Handgun owners who want to carry their guns with them must prove to the Maryland State Police that they have a “good and substantial” reason to carry the guns, under state law.
When owners are denied a permit or issued a permit with restrictions, they can appeal to the handgun board. The five-member board is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, although the Senate refused to confirm Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest appointees.
In recent years, the board has grown more permissive, routinely granting requests from gun owners to overturn permit denials or to remove the restrictions.
