A group of gun-rights advocates will gather in Annapolis next weekend wearing empty holsters and magazine pouches to protest state laws on carry permits for handguns.
Daniel A. Miller of Millersville, an organizer of the Open Holster protest, explained in a letter to the Maryland Gazette that there are no plans for an organized rally on Aug. 1 from noon to 6 p.m. Instead, he hopes to see people milling around the historic city center with empty holsters, introducing themselves to each other and handing out fliers to the curious.
He wrote that organizers have urged those attending not to put toy guns or anything else that could be mistaken for a weapon in their holsters.
"While we are in passionate disagreement with the leaders of this state regarding the laws governing our rights, we fully realize that a willful disregard of those laws will result in arrests and the forfeiture of our rights, something none of us want to occur," he wrote.
Ray Weaver, a spokesman for the Annapolis Police Department, said the group has gotten permits for the event and said police anticipate no problems.
"It doesn't really create any different enforcement situation than we'd normally have," he said.
Maryland issues carry permits to residents, but it has a discretionary system that requires an applicant to prove a "good and substantial reason" why he needs to carry a firearm. Opponents of the system call it "discriminatory" and have tried unsuccessfully several times to change the law.
Organizers of the event will take photos of anyone wearing a holster from noon to 1 p.m. near City Dock, with plans to send the pictures to lawmakers before the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
For more information, visit www.mdshooters.com
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