Information from Maryland Shall Issue

November 7th, 2009
10 AM to 5 PM
At Baltimore Inner Harbor’s McKeldin Square

Purpose: To have a large, completely peaceful and unarmed gathering of supporters of “Shall Issue” laws in Maryland. We will be wearing empty holsters in protest of the current “Discretionary Issue” system that sees Handgun Carry Permits issued only to those politically connected or dealing in extraordinarily large amounts of physical cash, or the occasional person who can meet the high burden of proof needed to receive one for self defense.

How to Participate: The intent is to have a nice day with the family and friends at the Inner Harbor, shopping, eating and sight seeing while wearing, in plain sight, an empty holster. You will know others participating in the protest by their open holsters. Stop by the Open Holster Day Rally information booth at McKeldin Square, located at the intersection of Light and Pratt Streets, introduce yourself and make new friends.

Basic Safety Rules: All holsters must remain empty at all times. Do not put toy guns, training guns or the like in your holster. We want to emphasize the emptiness of the holsters and our lack of protection. The holster will simply be a fashion accessory, symbolizing our vulnerability to criminals.

Long Term: The plan is to build on each Open Holster Day Rally, gathering more protesters to join us in January, during the Legislative session, to take the protest to the next “Shall Issue" bill hearing. Join us, make friends and help the movement to get Shall Issue Conceal Carry in Maryland.


PLAN TO JOIN US AND BRING YOUR FAMILY!


3. Why Baltimore?
We've received a lot of questions about why we are even bother going to Baltimore to do outreach activities regarding shall issue legislation. It's for the same reason that we participated in the Bowie Fest celebration in June. We must go to the communities that have had legislators who have traditionally worked against our issue and convince the citizens there that it is time to try a new path. Furthermore, the media outlets are more likely to pick it up, giving our cause the type of exposure that we will need if we are to reach the numbers of citizens necessary to achieve our goal. Playing it "safe" and going to the communities where we already have the votes will never solve anything and we are of the mindset that the citizens of every community in the state have a right to defend themselves.

Good luck,I think with persistance and a favorable ruling in the DC case it could happen.

Thanks. This is a very tough state to live free in. The up side is that our membership is growing rapidly which helps to bring our message to more people.

One of the most amazing things I witness almost every day is the number of people I speak with that do not understand their natural right of self defense.

BUMP for this coming weekend.