- Press Release-Right To Carry
- Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
- By Delegate Mike McDermott
March 5, 2012
(Annapolis) Today, a United States District Court upheld the 2nd Amendment rights of Maryland citizens to carry a concealed weapon without needing to show a state police judged “good and substantial reason”. The ruling came in the case of Woolard v. Sheridan and it will change the way the state handles the issuance of Pistol Permits for those asking for the right to carry.
Delegate Michael McDermott stated, “This is a big day for Marylanders. Many have waited a lifetime for their beloved state to recognize and honor their 2nd Amendment Right and that day has finally come”. Until today, the burden of proof in determining if someone had “a good and substantial reason” rested with the citizen and most were denied. The court ruled that this approach is unconstitutional and violates a citizens civil right to keep and bear arms. Essentially, the ruling will shift the burden to the state to prove that a person should be denied this right.
Current law prohibits someone who is a felon, a drug or alcohol abuser, or someone who suffers from mental illness as being ineligible for a carry permit. Second Amendment advocates have long held this is the criteria the state police should utilize when deciding on whether a citizen should be denied a permit.
Delegate McDermott joined with Delegate Smigiel in signing letters to the Secretary of the Maryland State Police respectfully insisting the department begin issuing permits immediately and that they grant reciprocity for those holding permits from other states. Delegate McDermott stated, “Providing reciprocity for permit holders will bring Maryland in line with 40 other states who have not stood between good citizens and their right to protect themselves and their families”.
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