Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #MDGA23
Most recents (4)
Such important work by @lakeidrachavis & @geoffhing, and a must-read for those considering a bill currently before the MD General Assembly to increase incarceration penalties for possession of an unlicensed firearm (the entirety of the Baltimore SAO’s legislative agenda). #MDGA23
This approach will harm communities while not improving public safety, & this reporting explores some key facets of how & why. Those opposing the bill have been sounding alarm re this worsening racial disparities in MD: already 1st in the US in its overincarceration of Black men.
Continued misplaced focus on wide net arrest and punishment continues to distract from more consequential areas of needed attention and SAO resources (eg, trust building and other work necessary for addressing of abysmal clearance rates for homicides and nonfatal shootings). And-
The Judicial Proceedings Committee is hearing SB 889, a bill that would increase the penalty for carrying a firearm without a permit or outside of any restrictions on a permit from up to 3 years to 5 years imprisonment. MSI opposes. #mdpolitics #mdga23
A conviction under current law is already a lifetime prohibitory of legal firearms ownership. This approach will not increase public safety. A similar bill, SB 745, was withdrawn last week. Read why we oppose in more detail below.
marylandshallissue.org/jmain/legislat…
marylandshallissue.org/jmain/legislat…
We testified against the House crossfile of SB 889, HB 481 last month alongside a strong, diverse panel of opponents to increasing these penalties.
youtube.com/live/39tJLHcda…
youtube.com/live/39tJLHcda…
The House Judiciary Committee is currently in session and will be hearing HB 307 and HB 481, both of which are bills MSI opposes. #mdga23 #mdpolitics
You can watch the hearing live here:
You can watch the hearing live here:
Our testimony against HB 307
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Leg…
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Leg…
Our testimony against HB 481
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Leg…
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Leg…
The MD State Police filed an informational letter critical of SB 1 "Gun Safety Act of 2023". Among their concerns are that pre-Bruen permit holders would be affected, including "judges, state’s attorneys, victims of crime or domestic violence, and legislators" #mdga23 #mdpolitics 
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources also has concerns about the effect of SB 1 on licensed hunters.
The revised version of SB 1 does address some of these concerns, but not all. We have a copy of it at our site here: marylandshallissue.org/jmain/legislat…
