Curmudgeonly & Skeptical

   SB 288, The Maryland Assault Weapons Ban 0f 2004, was an ill-conceived draft bill which would have banned/outlawed numerous makes of semi-automatic firearms in Maryland. There was a strong push by organized "gun control" advocates to have this proposed bill voted into law. Many of the supporters of SB 288 were highly emotional and often used questionable statistics to support this bill.

    Fortunately, six members of the 11 member State Judicial Proceedings Committee saw through the emotional arguments and looked at historical facts and true research and voted against this bill, killing it on 2 April 2004 by a vote of 6 to 5. The six Senators who supported the honest, law-abiding citizens of Maryland and who voted against SB 288 were: Giannetti, Jacobs, Mooney, Haines, Jimeno, and Brochin. It was reported that Senator Giannetti's vote was the swing vote and he needs a special thanks; but each and every one of the six Senators voting to kill this proposed bill cast a highly significant vote and needs to be thanked. So let's thank them.

    We also need to thank Governor Ehrlich. The Capital reported on 3 April on page A4 that Governor Ehrlich would not sign SB 288, even an amended version. It also made a difference that the Maryland State Police and Fraternal Order of Police did not support SB 288.

    All of the honest, law abiding citizens, and the sporting clubs, and organizations of Maryland which worked to defeat SB 288 need to be appreciated and thanked for their time and efforts. All of our efforts made a difference. If you learned about this proposed SB 288, and if you support the U.S. Constitution and the 2nd Amendment, and you did not raise your voice in opposition to SB 288, then I ask you - "What is your excuse"?

    Unfortunately, SB 137 the Self Defense Act - Rule of Law (co-sponsored by Senator Jacobs) which would have made Maryland a "shall issue" state (along with about 37 other states) for concealed carry permits was defeated in the Judicial Proceedings by a vote of 6 to 5. The Senators voting for this bill were: Jacpbs, Mooney, Haines, Jimeno, and Brochin. We also need to thank these Senators for supporting our rights.

    We must all continue to work together to fight for our rights. Sincerely,

 Will Graves