NASA, Industry Head To Richmond For 2013 Aerospace Days

 Leaders from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va., will join industry representatives Feb. 6 and 7 to meet with General Assembly members to promote aerospace in Virginia.

This is the eighth "Aerospace Days," which include meetings with legislators, briefings to various committees such as science and education, and other events to provide updates on current aerospace-related operations, initiatives, facilities and technology development in the Commonwealth, including:

ongoing efforts at NASA Langley and Wallops to continue NASA's exploration of Earth and space, support commercial cargo and crew space transportation development, and enable access to deep-space destinations with the Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle and the Space Launch System;

construction of a new 135,000 square foot "integrated engineering services building" at NASA Langley and the recently opened, state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Laboratories at Hampton's National Institute of Aerospace;

the expanding and increasingly important efforts to increase and improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM education across the state by NASA and its partners, including the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and others.

Astronaut Anna Fisher – NASA's first mother in space - will also be speaking with legislators and participating in NASA education outreach efforts. Fisher flew as a mission specialist on STS-51A in November 1984.

Additional facts about aerospace in Virginia:

• Virginia's aerospace industry employs more than 28,000 people with a direct economic output of $7.6 billion and average salary of almost $100,000;
• NASA generates $1.2 billion and almost 11,000 jobs in Virginia;
• NASA provides STEM-related K-12 education programs, digital learning network, teacher enhancement, summer internships, pre-college and higher education programs in the Commonwealth.

• For more information on NASA's Langley Research Center, visit:
  http://www.nasa.gov/langley
  For more information on NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, visit:  
  http://www.nasa.gov/wallops
  For more information on the LADEE mission, visit:  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ladee
  
  Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/05/5167233/nasa-industry-head-to-richmond.html#storylink=cpy
  
  Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/05/5167233/nasa-industry-head-to-richmond.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/05/5167233/nasa-industry-head-to-richmond.html#storylink=cpy

Riverside Grill Pocomoke

Tuesday Specials

February 5, 2013

 -Beer-Cheese Soup w/ 1/2 sandwich or side salad 5.99
 -Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and green beans 6.99
 -Thai Chili Shrimp Wrap w/ fries 8.99
 -Apple-Cranberry Salad 7.99

 @ 4 pm: 99 cent kids meals 

Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off appetizers

@ 8 pm: 50 cent wings
 Buffalo Wings: 50 cents a wing tonight after 8

Crime Watch Meetings/ February

STOCKTON, MD.

Community Crime Watch Meeting

with

DFC Trotter

Friday

February 8, 2013 at 6:00 PM

To be held at the Stockton Firehouse

 Please bring you questions, comments or any concerns that you have.

The Community Crime Watch is one of the most effective means available for keeping crime out of our neighborhood.

 When neighbors work together with Law Enforcement, it creates one of the best crime fighting teams around.

STOCKTON VOL. FIRE CO. /Facebook


OTHER COMMUNITY MEETINGS

 Friday, February 15, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the New Bethel United Methodist Church in Germantown

Wednesday, February 20, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Bishopville Fire Department

Fire Stations Have Responded To 44 Suspected Cases Of Arsons Since Nov. 14

by Eric Kane, 13News

WVEC.com

 

ACCOMACK CO.-- As volunteer firefighters continue battling the rising number of arsons on the Eastern Shore, they are seeing a burning hole in their bottom line.

The Accomack County Department of Public Safety says 14 fire stations have responded to 44 suspected cases of arson since Nov. 14,   They've sent an average of 20 volunteers to each fire and estimate hundreds of firefighters have now racked up close to 100 man-hours.

The department says they're also paying 65% more in fuel costs in order to fight these fires, increasing from $2,000 to $3,000 per month.

According to Virginia State Police, someone intentionally set two fires over the weekend, including an airplane hangar in Onley and an abandoned barn in Parksley.

“It was pretty shocking, it's so close to home,” said Ann Weinheimer.

Weinheimer lives just across the street from her brother's hangar. She says the community is fed-up with the fires, and she feels for the volunteers.

"It's just one night after another, and the resources, and the expense is, I would imagine, very challenging for them, but also physically draining," said Weinheimer.

With the serial arsonist still on the loose, people in Accomack County wonder what might be the next target.

While Weinheimer says she felt violated by the fire, she has a strong message for the person responsible.

"Get help, get help. Don't destroy our property.  I'm sorry for whatever is wrong, whatever is troubling or upsetting, but don't hurt other people."

Source:

Bill To Partially Close Gun Show Loophole Fails

Bill to partially close gun show loophole fails in committee vote

BY JIM NOLAN
Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond Times-Dispatch

Any chance of even a modest tightening of Virginia's laws governing the ability to purchase firearms died Monday when a Senate panel overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to make available voluntary background checks for the private purchase of firearms at gun shows.
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted 11-3 to kill Senate Bill 1372, with Democrats and Republicans joining forces to scrap what had just several days earlier been promoted as a compromise on gun show regulation embraced by both sides of the debate.
In the end, some of the most ardent proponents of greater restrictions on firearms voted against the bill in protest, because they said it did too little to address the issue.

"It would only create the impression," said Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, who has previously unsuccessfully carried gun show legislation. "It wouldn't do a thing."

And some of the traditional gun-rights opponents of background check legislation were happy to have Democratic support in killing a bill they did not find particularly offensive, but insisted would not prevent criminals from getting guns.

The bill would have required that a background check kiosk operated by Virginia State Police be present at gun shows to offer private sellers of firearms at the shows the chance to request a background check of their prospective purchasers.

Currently in Virginia, only federally licensed firearms dealers are required to perform background checks on prospective purchasers. There is no requirement for background checks on the private purchase, exchange or transaction of firearms anywhere in the state.

CONTINUE STORY....

PLAY TIME ! At The Library/ Adult Programs Too

Did you know that the Worcester County Library has programs for adults too?

Friday, February 1 through Thursday, February 14
Pocomoke Branch

Blind Date with a Book

Come to the library during the month of February and have a mysterious rendezvous…or a few if you’d like! Look for the display of tightly wrapped books, check one out and find out what it is when you get home! Spend some time getting to know your date. Even if your date turns out to be a dud, all is not lost. Fill out your “Rate Your Blind Date Slip”, which is located inside the book, and return it to the Pocomoke Library to be entered into a drawing for a prize!

Wednesday, February 13 at 1 pm
Pocomoke Branch

Antique Silver Appraisal

Silver appraiser John Gallagher will be on site to appraise your most treasured antique silver. Coins are not included as they have a different value system. Please limit to three pieces.

Activities vary throughout Worcester County so go to WORCESTER COUNTY LIBRARY  to see what's happening in your area!

"Educator Fairness Act" Passes in the Senate

Governor McDonnell's "Educator Fairness Act" Passes

 in the Senate on a 40-0 Vote

 

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement regarding the passage of his proposed "Educator Fairness Act" in the Senate today on a unanimous 40-0 vote. The bill had previously been passed in the House of Delegates last week. The Educator Fairness Act was part of the governor's All Students K-12 legislative agenda. The Educator Fairness Act extends the probationary window for teachers from 3 to up to 5 years, to allow for a more thoughtful examination of teachers being awarded continuing contract status, and to allow for an extended period of mentoring for new teachers. It also provides for a definition of incompetence to include one or more unsatisfactory performance evaluations and defines the relationship between the evaluation and the contract. This act will streamline the grievance procedure and will allow for an expedited decision to inform the teacher of the final outcome.

"I am pleased that members of both parties came together in the House and Senate to support these key reforms to Virginia's teacher contract and grievance system. We have incredible teachers in Virginia and these reforms will help ensure that our children always have the most effective educators possible in the classroom. Great teachers are the key to bright futures for our children. These reforms came together with the input and support of the VEA, the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals, the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, the Virginia Association of School Boards, the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and others. I thank these groups for working with me and with House patron Delegate Dickie Bell and Senate Patron Tommy Norment throughout the legislative process. The Educator Fairness Act, along with other key education reforms and investments we are making this year, will enable Virginia schools to better recruit, retain and reward excellent teachers, and ensure that our children get the world's best education."

 

Pocomoke City Police Department / Press Release

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

January 3 - 28, 2013

01-11-2013     Jerron Crippen age 27 of Pocomoke, MD was arrested and charged with 2 Degree Assault.

01-13-2013    Aaron Walker age 34 of Philadelphia, PA was arrested and charged with Disturbing the Peace.

01-14-2013   Savanta Selby age 44 of Ocean City MD was arrested and charged with Theft less $1,000. Selby also had an Outstanding Warrant from Wicomico County for an open  container violation.

 01-16-2013    William Mills age 43 of Chincoteague VA was arrested and Charged with Theft less $100 False Statement to a Police.

01-19-2013    Norman Clayton age 25 of Pocomoke City was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for traffic violations.

01-19-2013   Charlie White age 58 of Mappsville, VA was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for Failure to Appear.

01-27-2013    Latasha Blake age 28 of Pocomoke, MD was arrested and Charged with Disorderly Conduct.

01-28-2013     Carl Williams age 21 of Pocomoke, MD was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for Possession of Marijuana.

 

Kelvin D. Sewell

Chief of Police
Pocomoke City, MD. 

February 4, 2013

Arrested A Second Time~ Guess He Didn't Get The Message

 Once again the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Pocomoke City Police Department, and the Maryland State Police.

Sometimes a thug doens't "get it" the first time and for some unknown reason continues down the same path of life once given a second chance.  Maybe it won't take long before those who decided to continue to break the law will get the clear message that these law enforcement teams are NOT joking and will continue to clear the community area of such nonfunctioning crap as this!

Another great job from those who protect and serve!

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

On February 1, 2013, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team concluded a cocaine distribution investigation in the Pocomoke, Maryland area.

  As a result of this investigation a search and seizure warrant was authored for Christopher Shawn Harmon, Age 39, of Pocomoke, Maryland along with his residence on 8th Street, Pocomoke, Maryland. On this date, Harmon was observed operating a vehicle in the area of Linden Avenue at which time members of the Criminal Enforcement Team attempted to conduct a traffic stop of this vehicle in order to execute this search and seizure warrant.

Harmon subsequently fled in this vehicle on to U.S. Route 13, where he was observed discarding several glass vials of cocaine from the window of the vehicle. Harmon was stopped near the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and U.S. Route 113, Pocomoke, Maryland at which time he was taken into custody without further incident. Approximately 12.2 grams of cocaine was recovered from the roadway and Harmon’s vehicle. Harmon was transported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with the following offenses:

-Possession of cocaine
-Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine

Harmon was committed to the Worcester County Detention Center on a $25,000.00 bond.

 Harmon was just recently released on January 3, 2013 from the Maryland Department of Corrections stemming from a previous controlled dangerous substance conviction.

The Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Pocomoke City Police Department, and the Maryland State Police.


Submitted by Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Company Awards Banquet

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company held their annual awards banquet on Saturday, January 26, 2013.  Held the last Saturday in January,  the banquet recognizes the greatness of those men and women in the community who are always there  when called to aid those in harms way.  From fighting the most fierce fire to selling the most BBQ chicken tickets or manning the fire house during a storm each individual, in his/her own way,  complete the Pocomoke City Fire Company to make it the greatest that it is.

It is important to note also that some of these firefighters are second and third generation members of the firefighting families.

Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co. Top Responders for 2012

(left to right)
Travis Cowger 192; Mike Dean 181; Tyler Fairman 179; Devin Fairman 149; Choppy Layton 136;Doug Mumford 117; Chris Vieira 116; Josh Weichmann 102; Bill Sparrow 116; Keven Hall 104; Richard Wimbrow 102 (not in photo) Chief Dicky Gladding 205; Asst. Chief Corey Dean 180; Capt. Eric Denston 125 Cadet Austin McGee 111 (there was a total of 261 alarms in 2012)

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Cadets

 

Cadets that attended the banquet: (l to r)
Austin McGee; A.J. Miller; Noah King; Steven Wright; Jordan Sharpley; Ethan Taylor

To be a cadet with the Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Dept. you must be between the age of 16 to 17 years, live within the are the fire department serves and maintain at least a "C" average in school.  (Please be sure to support them during their next fundraiser)

Many awards are given during the few hours of the banquet and I have just touched on a few.  It should be known that (to me) each individual from the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department is special AND important...not because of who they are but for what they do!

Marion Butler, Sr. Awarded For 65 Years of Service


Maryland State Delegate, Norman Conway (L) presents a Certificate to Marion Butler, Sr. (R) for his 65 years of community service as a member of the Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co.  President Andy Clarke (center)

Senator Jim Mathias (left) presents a certificate from the State of Maryland to Marion Butler, Sr. (right) for 65 years of service.  Andy Clarke (center) President of the PCVFD 
Marion Butler, Sr. has served Pocomoke City in many capacities throughout the years.

Other members of the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company with 60 plus years of service are:

Marion Butler, Sr. - Member since 1948

George Henderson, Jr. - Member since 1951

George Young, Jr. - Member since 1950

For more photos and more information about the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company visit their website.  Pocomoke City Fire Company
OR

"Like" them on their FACEBOOK PAGE

Photos are from the Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Company website.

Ravens Win Is Closer To Home Than You Might Think

Todd Washington

From WESR
Todd Washington will get his second Super Bowl ring in 10 years. Todd, a graduate of Nandua High School and son of coach Tony Washington and Earline Washington of Melfa is an assistant to the offensive line coach of the Baltimore Ravens who defeated the San Fransisco Forty Niners 34-31 at the Superdome in New Orleans last night.

Todd played along side of his brother TJ for Virginia Tech. He then joined the NFL playing for Tampa Bay. In 2003, Tampa Bay defeated Oakland 48-21 earning Todd his first Super Bowl ring.

Last night the Ravens held of a second half surge by the 49ers to win the game for Baltimore. The revamped offensive line in the playoffs was a contributing factor to the Ravens' advance through the playoffs to the Super Bowl.

The Washington family owns another piece of football history. Son TJ won a world championship ring for the now defunct European league. The game was called the World Bowl.

Congratulations to the Washington family. No one else from the Eastern Shore has ever owned a Super Bowl ring.

Source:

More Info on Todd Washington
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/coaches/Todd_Washington/0604a00b-4e2d-42bb-a560-51df6dbaa591

Field Notes By Delegate Mike McDermott

Feb. 3rd, 2013

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermott

 

 

 

Week 4  Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2013
Tuesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:HB-116 would allow for what is commonly referred to as “one-way” wire taps for crimes involving vulnerable adults. Current law allows for use of this type of recording for a multitude of crimes from Murder to Obstruction of Justice. This bill would add crimes against vulnerable adults to the list. We heard from several folks about the need for this mechanism to assist in these crimes, particularly many that cannot even speak for themselves.HB-156 would increase the fee of removing a shopping cart from a store premise from $25 to $100. The penalty has been in place since the 1950’s and it is believed that the increased penalty would help keep people from removing the carts for fear of prosecution. This crime is already covered by the current Theft statute which carries a more significant penalty of up to $500. I suggested that Montgomery County create a local civil penalty to encourage enforcement that could target their particular problem with these cart thefts.HB-154 would provide that someone who is sentenced in a District Court case who is convicted and sentenced who is entitled a second (new) trial before the Circuit Court would  be allowed to have their sentence stayed pending the outcome of their appeal to the Circuit Court. It would act to release people from incarceration (who have already been convicted) while their case is on appeal. According to testimony, it is unclear if anyone is having difficulty receiving an Appeal Bond while they wait for their Circuit Court trial and this may not even be a problem.HB-152 seeks to limit the double jeopardy which can occur when a case is tried before a Federal Court which could also have jurisdiction in a State Court. It basically makes the government choose the jurisdiction in which it wants to pursue a case against an individual.

Special Committee on Gun Legislation: Today the committee received an overview of the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill. We went over the major components of the legislation asking questions along the way for clarification. I have broken the bill down and, although it is not an exhaustive review, it provides a good overview. It can be viewed at this link: Gun Bill Overview.

Wednesday Session-State of the State Speech
Today, all the pomp and circumstance of a joint session in the House of Delegates where we listen to Governor O’Malley tell us how he sees the condition of our state. The governor began by referencing the Ravens, and, had he stopped there, it would have been the most uniting speech of his career. It went downhill from there. The governor is a big government guy and he believes it all the way. He pointed to a list of accomplished areas such as education where Maryland receives “number one” ratings from certain select sources. Essentially, if a state government is willing to outspend us as a percentage of their assigned state funding on education, they can dethrone us. This is also true for our willingness to spend money we do not have to provide various services across the board for anyone who asks. For instance, we are certainly not “number one” in the outcome of the education we provide, but let’s not look at those statistics. I do not blame the governor for drawing attention to areas where the state has been awarded a blue ribbon by some magazine or association, but our failure to be intellectually honest about how we achieve the ranking only hurts our future by focussing on the wrong measure of success: outcome!

Here are some of the governor’s concluding remarks. Where he refers to “a random shuffling of the deck”, he must have been alluding to this speech and our direction as a state. ..
“ I leave you with these thoughts:
Life is an ever evolving story of change and choice –letting go of things and ways that were, in order to reach for that which we have yet to achieve.
It is not some random shuffling of the deck, or a tossing of cards.  Life is an intentional process, and it calls for the goodness of our own intentions.
We, here in Maryland, are called to work at the center of this intentional movement.  For every decision we make, there is a future foretold.
Jobs and opportunity; public safety, public education, public transportation, the health of our people and the health of our planet. These are our concerns; and they are also the world’s concerns.”-Governor Martin O’MalleyGo here to read the entire speech

Wednesday Judiciary Hearings:HB-163 would eliminate the Office of Orphans Court Judge from Anne Arrundel County and replace them with the Circuit Court. It was supported by the Anne Arrundel Delegation but was opposed strongly by many judges of the Orphans Court across Maryland. Based upon what I heard and observed, this bill is going nowhere.HB-150 would require that a person who is involved in a motor vehicle accident where a fatality or serious injury occurs cannot refuse to submit to a test of breath or blood to determine alcohol concentration. This bill seeks to increase the number of drivers tested  and an overall strengthening of DWI enforcement in Maryland in accident cases. There was only token resistance offered by the Office of the Public Defender.HB-78 is the “Pit Bull” legislation which seeks to mitigate the court case which made all owners of Pitt Bull dogs liable for any attacks, damage, or bites inflicted by the dog. This bill would provide that an owner can provide evidence to show that they had no reason to believe the dog in question was previously aggressive (a rebuttable presumption). Effectively, this bill will widen the liability incurred by dog owners in general as opposed to being breed specific. The impression from the co sponsors of the legislation is that the bill is a compromise and does not reflect the will of the House of Delegates in a bill which was passed last year by the House. The hearing was long with many people testifying on the bill.

Thursday Afternoon Judiciary-Budget Briefing
We received our annual budget fiscal briefing by Director Warren Deschenaux of the Office of Policy Analysis from the Dept. of Legislative Services. Overall spending increases over 6%. There are hundreds of millions in new spending and some restoration funding. The budget includes a 3% COLA for State employees as well as Merit raises. Our debt service currently stands at $100 million, but more state spending involves trading current dollars for bonds (debt). This will increase our debt service in coming years to over half a billion dollars which will have a significant impact on future budgets. It is the proverbial kicking of the can down the road. The next two administrations will be addressing the folly of the current administrations spending policies.

There is a new $25 million fund for School Security (this will not go far across an entire state). The budget throws a one time bone to municipal governments by giving them a slight increase for local transportation issues. This is nowhere near the 90% amount the governor took from local government funding several years ago. Ironically, the governor does not call for increasing any funding for the counties in this regard. Some of these breakdowns can be found on page 5 at the above link.

Special Committee on Gun Legislation: Today the committee heard from Dr. Daniel Webster (John Hopkins) and Secretary Joshua Sarfstein (MD Dept. of Health) regarding studies on gun violence and firearms registration components instituted by various jurisdictions. The relevance of the information was questionable as there was no comparison/contrast with what Maryland is currently doing in this regard. Some information that would have been helpful was simply missing from the presentation.

Press Conference on Gun Bill: There was a Senate-House Press Conference on the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill. Sadly, while Republicans are standing up to the assault on the 2nd Amendment, so far the Democrats have been mostly silent with any opposition. Only Senator John Astle and Delegate Kevin Kelly have spoken up against the bill.

Friday Morning Eastern Shore Delegation Meeting:
The Delegation met with Secretary Joshua Sharfstein of the MD Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene. We also met with representatives of various Hospice organizations from the Eastern Shore who reported on their activities. We received an update from the folks representing the Healthy Families Programs and agreed to write a letter to support a funding increase. Minutes from the meeting are available at this link: Delegation Minutes 2-1-13.

 

 

Gumboro~Crisfield Mudbogs 2012 Season Banquet

GUMBORO-CRISFIELD MUDBOGS

2012 AWARDS BANQUET

 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Crisfield Elks Lodge- 4410 Crisfield Hwy.,

Crisfield, MD.

Banquet begins @6:30 PM

Tickets: $15.00 per person

Awards and trophies for the 2012 mudbog season will be presented.

Contact Charlie Price for tickets

410-330-6571

Baltimore Ravens WIN Super Bowl XLVII

WAY TO GO RAVENS !

 

Sunday -

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has released the following statement on the Ravens Super Bowl win :

“The Baltimore Ravens have proven that they are the team of destiny this year. We are incredibly proud of Coach John Harbaugh and our entire Baltimore Ravens team for bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore.

“Our Ravens have provided an inspirational lift for all of us to reach beyond our dreams this season. They are the heart and soul of Baltimore, and fans across our great State are celebrating in the historic accomplishments of this team. We look forward to the Ravens homecoming and the parade in the days to come.

“Congratulations to Joe Flacco for being named Most Valuable Player. We also wish Ray Lewis well in his future endeavors, and we are forever grateful for what he has done for Baltimore for 17 years. Go Ravens!”

Legislative Updates By Mike McDermott

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

Feb. 2nd, 2013

What the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill Does

By Delegate Mike McDermott

 

 

The following breakdown is, by no means, exhaustive as it relates to the intricacies of this large document. I have attempted to break down the basic elements in the bill, and, at times, contrast the provisions with current law. There are a multitude of issues that arise from the proposed legislation which will be the subject of debate. Some reflection and modification of current law is in order, particularly as it relates to mental health issues. I also believe some attention needs to be paid to the issue of Criminal Background Checks. I will keep you posted on any proposed changes. A complete list of current firearm bills that have been proposed can be found on the MGA website.

Here is the O’Malley-Brown Gun Bill breakdown:

• Defines all Regulated Firearms currently listed as “Assault Weapons” as “Assault Long Guns”.
• Defines “Assault Weapon” as an “Assault Long Gun”; an “Assault Pistol”; or a “Copycat Weapon”.
• Defines a “Copycat Weapon” as “a semi-automatic centerfire rifle that accepts a detachable magazine”…along with any one of a long list of features.

So, the bill consolidates all of these types of firearms under the heading “Assault Weapon”.

• “Copycat Weapon” is an “Assault Weapon; “Assault Long Gun” is an “Assault Weapon”; “Assault Pistol” is an “Assault Weapon”…yet a “Copycat Weapon” does not include an “Assault an Assault Long Gun” or an “Assault Pistol”???

The bill bans all “Assault Weapons” from being possessed or brought into the State of Maryland.  There are some exceptions to the ban:

• Assault Pistols possessed and registered prior to June 1, 1994
• A Licensed Firearms Dealer can continue to possess/sell/transfer an “Assault Long Gun” or a “Copycat Weapon” lawfully possessed on or before 10-1-2013. (Note: it seems that “Assault Pistols” are not included)
• An individual gun owner who lawfully possessed an “Assault Long Gun” or a “Copycat Weapon” before 10-1-2013 and registers the weapon with the State Police prior to 11-1-2013 may continue to possess said weapon.

(Note: Exceptions remain for tubular fed rifles in .22 caliber)

The bill limits all magazine capacities for any firearm to 10-rounds.
(Note: current law allows restricts to 10-rounds for a handgun/20-rounds for a rifle)

The bill adjusts the penalties and expands the definition for utilizing an “Assault Weapon” and/or magazines of greater than 10-rounds in the commission of a crime.
(Note: Current law only addressed Assault Pistols or a magazine of over 20 rounds).

Mental Health Issues/Adjustments:

• Those under a court ordered Involuntary Commitment must surrender any firearms in their possession if the attending physician deems it appropriate. Once surrendered, the weapons cannot be returned until the individual is granted relief through the State Health
• Department after meeting several criteria for removing the disqualification stipulation.
• Those who have been found “Not Criminally Responsible” are disqualified.
• Those who have been voluntarily or involuntarily patient for 30 consecutive days or more are disqualified.
• Those who have been declared unable to possess a firearm by a court based upon credible evidence of their dangerousness to others are disqualified.
• Those under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court are disqualified.

In Order to Purchase a Hangun…:

• Possess a valid Handgun Qualification License;
• Not be prohibited by Federal or State law from possession

Creation of a “Handgun Qualification License”:

• This will be the means through which a person becomes authorized to “purchase, rent, or receive a handgun.” In order to take possession of a handgun, the following criteria must be met:

In order to qualify for a Handgun Qualification License, the individual must:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Be a resident of Maryland;
• Attend a state approved Firearms Safety Training Course within one-year prior to the purchase of the firearm.

The 8-Hour Firearm Safety Course must include the following elements:
Classroom instruction on:

1.      State Firearm Law;

2.      Home Firearm Safety; and

3.      Handgun Mechanisms and Operation.

• Firearm’s Qualification demonstrating personal proficiency with the firearm.
• Apply to the Central Repository for a National and State Criminal History Check

1.      Submit two complete sets of legible fingerprints to the FBI;

2.      Pay a fee associated with a Criminal Background Check to the state;

3.      Pay a fee associated with the FBI Background Check

•  Pay a $100.00 non-refundable Application Fee.

(Note: The Handgun Qualification License is good for five-years and can be renewed by meeting the same standards as prescribed in the original application and paying all associated fees required).

Individuals who move into Maryland after 10-1-2013:
The bill appears to prohibit bringing any Assault Weapon into the state following the ban date. Regulated firearms that are brought into the state after this date:

•  Must be registered with the MD State Police within 30-days after establishing residency;
•  Must pay a non-refundable fee of $15.00 per weapon registered.

---

 

Super Bowl Sunday ~ Riverside Grill Pocomoke

Come watch the Super Bowl with us! Great food and drink specials all day!

 

Sunday  February 3, 2013

 -MD Crab Soup (6.99) or Hearty Vegetable Beef (5.99) w/ 1/2 deli sandwich or side salad
 -Taco Salad 6.99
 -1 Chili Cheese Dog 4.99 or 2 dogs 6.99
 -Chili Nachos 4.99
 -Wing Sampler (4 BBQ, 4 Old Bay, 4 Buffalo, 4 sweet red chili) 8.00

**Happy Hour all day w/ $1 off all appetizers and $1 or more off most drinks**

$1.50 Coors light, Bud light, and Yuengling drafts
 $2.50 Bloody Mary's and Mimosas
 $5 bombs!

Happy Super Bowl !! GO RAVENS !!!

GO RAVENS !!

PHOTO/The Virginia-Maryland Dog

 

 

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone!!!

  Visit  The Virginia-Maryland Dog Magazine and the Baltimore Ravens on Facebook.