PART II, DELEGATE SMIGIEL’S 2010 PRE-FILED BILLS
HB-48 This bill requires a judge to advise a defendant in a protective order hearing to be advised of the consequences of having an order issue against them. One of the new consequences resulting from last year’s legislation allows the judge at the initial hearing to order all firearms to be confiscated.
Often people will agree to have an order issued until they can come back into court in a few days for the hearing on the merits. At the second hearing, if the order issues, the guns of the defendant must be taken away. This bill bill merely require that the person against whom a protective order is being issued shall be advised of the consequences of said order.
HB-52 This bill looks to correct a problem that many people who live work and travel in and around Maryland unnecessarily face everyday. This bill would allow those who possess valid permits to carry firearms from the States of Delaware, Pennsylvania or Virginia (I have been contacted by several residents of West Virginia and asked to amend the bill to include West Virginia and have agreed to do so) to travel to or through Maryland without having to stop at the State line and transfer their firearm to a locked box in the truck of their car.
People who are holders of permits to carry are not criminals. They have been checked out and found to be competent, law abiding citizens and should be treated as such by the State of Marland. Likewise, Maryland residents who have permits to carry would then be able to carry in and through our neighboring States.
HB-58 This bill would redefine what a public body is so that the Open Meetings Act would apply to all bodies that handle public business. Non-goverment agencies should not be able to keep private information when they perform government functions or duties that would be open to public scrutiny if done by the public.
Watch for Part III of Delegate Smigiel’s Pre-filed bills to be posted soon.
Dear Delegate Mike,
I am a resident of Delaware and am an avid motorcyclist. I live less than two miles from the MD state line, and I very much enjoy the pleasures of traveling in the Delmarva Peninsula with my wife or with a group of friends. Almost every ride envolves spending money for lunch or dinner.
Maryland is a beautiful state and has much to offer visitors. Unfortunately, now that I have my DE concealed carry license (CCDW) I have to go to great extremes to make sure I don’t accidently stray into your state with my concealed weapon. For years now my local travels have been limited to DE and to PA (I also have a PA LTCF).
I would be so pleased if MD HB-52 passes and I once again am able to enjoy MD, especially on the Delmarva Peninsula! Waterman’s restaurant in Rock Hall used to be a frequent stop for us and we would be very pleased to put that back on our list of things to do and see.
Thank You for introducing this bill; I think it would be a tremendous benefit for both businesses in MD and to law-abiding visitors from nearby states.
Best Wishes on getting this bill passed!
Bob & Joan Richardson
Dear Delegate Mike,
As a resident of Northern Virginia with a CCW permit, I have found it difficult to visit Maryland. Thank you for introducing this bill!
Like the Richardsons, I believe it would be a tremendous benefit for businesses in MD and to law-abiding visitors from nearby states.
Please keep us informed as to its success.
Matthew Babcock