Wake Up!!! Maryland is denying us a basic human right.

[From the Mailbox]

Date: 3/9/2009 11:19:02 AM
Subject: Wake Up!!! Maryland is denying us a basic human right.
     
Dear Michael Bane,
 
Maryland is denying us a basic human right. The media ignores it, most politicians ignore it and most importantly not enough of us even know it. I'm talking about the inherent and unalienable right to defend oneself. You may think that is the job of the Police, yet there are several U.S. Supreme Court cases setting the precedent that the police are under no obligation to protect us. It's true, Google "Castle Rock vs. Gonzales".
 
You may be surprised to know that Maryland has a concealed carry law now, with about 11,366 active permits, but there is a problem with the current law. Permit holders have been so quiet and law abiding that you probably had no idea they were out there. That's not the problem. The problem is there are not enough of them. The problem is that many of those who truly need permits cannot get them. The problem is discrimination.
 
The current CCW (Concealed Carry Weapons) law provides that if you can show documentation of several recent death threats then you might get a permit. However, if the threats are documented but older (say an ex- threatened to kill you when he gets out of jail and he's been in for 5 years and is about to get out) you will not be issued a permit.  If you cannot document the death threats (they were made in person with no witnesses) you will not be able to get a permit. On the other hand, any self-employed person who handles cash in his business can easily get a permit.  Those who are disabled, frail, and/or elderly are easy prey to criminals - probably more so than are businessmen who handle cash, but the current CCW law has no provision for them to get permits.
 
There are three important bills in Maryland's General Assembly right now, two deal directly with returning our right to self-defense and the 3rd keeps criminals from suing Citizens who fight them. Sadly the media has ignored these bills, HB470, SB746 and HB332 respectively. These bills are backed by Democrats and Republicans who believe in the law-abiding citizen and know criminals laugh at the law. Yet every time these bills are introduced they are ignored by the media, by other politicians and by us.
 
So here's your wake up call. We aren't allowed to defend ourselves in Maryland. Criminals prey on us because they know we can't protect ourselves outside our homes and if they break into our homes and we protect our lives or our families they can sue US. Where's the justice in that? Where are the people we elect to represent us when we need them? Oh right, their security is paid with our taxes.
 
Please help us and get the word out.  Show us that the gun media does care about the citizens of Maryland too.
 
Sincerely,
Fred