Poli Alert Political & Civics
Related Articles
Maryland gun owners are no longer required to prove they have a good and substantial reason to carry a concealed weapon.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday directed the Maryland State Police to suspend that provision of state law. The governor’s directive makes it easier for legal gun owners to carry concealed weapons.
The action comes after the Supreme Court’s decision on gun control, ruling New York’s law, that requires a good reason before someone can carry a gun outside their home, is unconstitutional.
In a statement released Tuesday morning, Hogan said the action is pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling.
According to a gubernatorial spokesman, the state attorney general told the Maryland State Police on June 30 that the state’s requirement to get wear and carry gun permits was unconstitutional.
The governor’s statement reads: “Over the course of my administration, I have consistently supported the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms, while enacting responsible and common-sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.
“Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a provision in New York law pertaining to handgun permitting that is virtually indistinguishable from Maryland law. In light of the ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to immediately suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for wear and carry permits. It would be unconstitutional to continue enforcing this provision in state law. There is no impact on other permitting requirements and protocols.
“Today’s action is in line with actions taken in other states in response to the recent ruling.”
Maryland State Police released a statement saying its Licensing Division is in the process of updating the online Licensing Portal to reflect the changes. Until these updates are complete, applicants submitting a “wear and carry” permit application are directed to select “Personal Protection/Category Not Listed Above” as their “Handgun Permit Category.” Applicants are not required to attach documents to the “Personal Protection Documentation” section on the “Upload Documents” page of the wear and carry permit application.
Additional information and a link to the Licensing Portal can be found on the Maryland State Police website: Maryland State Police Licensing Division.
