Today, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed House Bill 1343 /Senate Bill 1000, legislation to repeal the Handgun Permit Review Board.
House Bill 1343 /Senate Bill 1000 sought to remove citizen oversight regarding the appeals process for Maryland wear and carry permits. Current law allows individuals who are denied a wear and carry permit to file an appeal to the Handgun Permit Review Board, a group of five members of the public appointed by the Governor. HB 1343 /SB 1000 would dissolve this board, thus removing all public oversight, and make all appeals be filed through an administrative office.
Thank you to NRA members who continued to contact their legislators in opposition to this legislation. Also, thank you to those legislators who voted in opposition to SB 1000, and to Governor Hogan for vetoing the bill and preventing the repeal of this important review process.