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Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.\u2019s decision Tuesday to lift restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in Maryland in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion left policymakers scrambling, and has created another potentially divisive political issue with Marylanders already voting in their party primaries.<\/p>\n
One day after mass shootings at a Fourth of July parade in a Chicago suburb and a fireworks display in Philadelphia, Hogan (R) announced Tuesday that he had directed the Maryland State Police, which issues gun licenses in the state, to suspend what\u2019s known as the \u201cgood and substantial reason\u201d standard for carrying concealed weapons. Hogan\u2019s directive means Maryland gun owners no longer have to offer a justification for carrying concealed firearms.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court on June 23 struck down a New York law<\/a> that made it illegal to carry a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection \u2014 effectively throwing out a similar Maryland statute.<\/p>\n Both supporters and foes of the Maryland law said it would only be a matter of time before someone successfully sued to overturn it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be unconstitutional to continue enforcing this provision in state law,\u201d Hogan asserted Tuesday.<\/p>\n In separate statements, Hogan and the Maryland State Police said nothing else about state firearms regulations would change \u2014 and that Marylanders would still need to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.<\/p>\n The Maryland State Police Licensing Division, the agency said, is in the process of updating its licensing portal for applicants. Sixteen hours worth of firearms training are still required for first-time applicants, while those renewing their permits still need to take eight hours of training sessions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Maryland State Police Licensing Division staff will continue to promptly investigate and approve those eligible for a wear and carry permit, while ensuring those prohibited by law are not approved,\u201d the agency said in a statement. \u201cA full background check will continue to be conducted for every individual applying for a wear and carry permit. Additional documentation such as military service records or other documentation as requested may still be required to complete an applicant background investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n The agency did not elaborate on how it intended to implement the new licensing requirements.<\/p>\n Hogan said his decision \u201cis in line with actions taken in other states in response to the recent ruling.\u201d<\/p>\n But New York in fact moved swiftly to mitigate some of the provisions of the Supreme Court decision. Just a week after the court ruling, the legislature passed \u2014 and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law<\/a> \u2014 a measure that expands on eligibility requirements in the concealed carry permitting process; restricts the carrying of concealed weapons in sensitive locations like schools, government buildings, airports, health and medical facilities and houses of worship, among others, and establishes that private property owners must expressly allow a person to possess a firearm on their property; and creates a statewide license and ammunition database.<\/p>\n In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) promised that the General Assembly would enact similar legislation during its next session, which is scheduled for January.<\/p>\n \u201cNow more than ever in history, we must pass laws protecting all Marylanders from potential gun violence,\u201d he said. \u201cThe lethality of the weapons available for purchase has never been greater, and our laws must accurately reflect their danger.\u201d<\/p>\n On Twitter, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) said House members \u201cbetween now and January\u2026will look at every option to curb the proliferation of guns on the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n Between this recent Supreme Court decision on gun possession and another striking down the federal Roe v. Wade abortion rights law<\/a> \u2014 along with ongoing calls<\/a> to address rising gasoline prices \u2014 pressure may be mounting on the legislature to go into special session sometime after the state\u2019s primaries are completed on July 19. Mail-in ballots began arriving at voters\u2019 homes about two weeks ago, and early in-person voting starts on Thursday.<\/p>\n It is unclear whether Hogan\u2019s directive will immediately go into effect or whether it will require sign-off from a legislative committee that oversees state regulation. Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, said the governor was moved to order the change in policy after conferring with the state Attorney General\u2019s office in the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling.<\/p>\n In an interview, Del. Samuel Rosenberg (D-Baltimore City), co-chair of the General Assembly\u2019s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, said he was seeking guidance on whether the legislative panel had a role in reviewing Hogan\u2019s order.<\/p>\n Rosenberg said the new New York law might make a good model for Maryland.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve enacted legislation in an area left out in the ruling by the [Supreme] court \u2014 such as special places where you can\u2019t carry a concealed weapon,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Advocates and policymakers react<\/strong><\/p>\n Hogan\u2019s directive won plaudits from Republicans, conservatives and gun owners\u2019 groups and was roundly criticized by Democrats and gun control advocates.<\/p>\n Former Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz, Hogan\u2019s choice to succeed him in this year\u2019s gubernatorial election, called the governor\u2019s decision \u201cthe right call.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRepeat violent offenders who commit crimes with illegal guns are the problem, not law-abiding citizens,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) said Republicans in Annapolis have long argued that the state\u2019s \u201cgood and substantial reason\u201d standard for gun owners was unconstitutional.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate Governor Hogan stepping up and taking action to put Maryland into compliance with the Supreme Court\u2019s decision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mark Pennak, president of the gun rights group Maryland Shall Carry, was exultant.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the first time in decades, ordinary, responsible, law-abiding citizens in Maryland will have their Second Amendment right for self-defense outside the home respected,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A Democratic candidate for governor, former Attorney General Doug Gansler, said Hogan should have proposed ways to comply with the Supreme Court edict while also adding protections for Marylanders.<\/p>\n \u201cThe number one job of government is to keep people safe, and Governor Hogan has failed at that job,\u201d Gansler said. \u201cGovernor Hogan dropped this requirement without suggesting any alternative, lesser standard that would ensure we are keeping guns out of the hands of people who should not have them.\u201d<\/p>\n At a news conference in Baltimore, another Democratic candidate, former U.S. Education Secretary John King, said Hogan, who is openly pondering a run for president in 2024, was motivated by political considerations.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, Governor Hogan\u00a0<\/strong>has focused on primary voters in Iowa rather than the needs of Marylanders,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The other Democratic candidates for governor chimed in with similar statements.<\/p>\n State Sen. Will Smith (D-Montgomery), chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which regularly deals with gun legislation and criminal justice bills, had a terse but subtle message that seemed directed at voters who don\u2019t pay close attention to state politics and, perhaps, to Democrats who are fond of Hogan. He retweeted the governor\u2019s message on the gun regulations with the comment, \u201cElections matter.\u201d<\/p>\n