March 20, 2019

Action Alert:
Tell Governor Hogan to Get Working on Gun Control


Update: During the 2019 legislative session, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed two bills that would improve the state’s gun laws, but vetoed another. The legislation Hogan signed took modest steps toward curbing illegal guns and called for a study on tracing crime guns. The bill Hogan vetoed would have dissolved a “Handgun Permit Review Board” stacked with pro-gun activists who continuously overrule law enforcement and return carry permits to Marylanders with a history of violence. Thanks to all those who took this action.


Following two terrible shootings in Maryland in 2018 (at Great Mills High School and the offices of The Capital Gazette), Republican Governor Larry Hogan seemed to be coming around on gun control. He signed a “red flag” law along with measures to ban bump stocks and keep guns away from domestic abusers. He even promised to stop taking money from the NRA. The gun lobby responded by downgrading his rating from an A- to a C.

During the 2019 legislative session, however, Hogan hasn’t lifted a finger to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms. Instead he’s been a useless armchair critic, calling Maryland Democrats in the General Assembly “the most pro-criminal group of legislators I’ve ever seen” because they want no part of his effort to further increase criminal sentences for young men of color who commit gun crimes. Instead, Democrats have focused on gun control legislation like a long gun licensing requirement and a gun storage measure that could have disarmed the Great Mills High School shooter. Hogan has been AWOL in these efforts.

Hogan is likely trying to posture himself for a run against Donald Trump in the 2020 Republican primary for president. Needless to say, playing politics is totally unacceptable when it comes to preventing gun violence and saving lives.

Please contact Governor Hogan through one of the channels below and give him the following message, personalized to your liking:

Governor Hogan, you talked a good game on gun control after signing the “red flag” policy and bump stock ban into law, but have done absolutely nothing to prevent dangerous people from getting guns during the 2019 legislative session. Anyone can sit on the sidelines and accuse Democrats in the General Assembly of being “pro-criminal” (because they want no part of your proposal to increase criminal sentences for young men of color who commit gun crimes). That’s lazy. Instead, why don’t you get off your butt and offer your support for the good gun bills being considered in the legislature: background checks for private long gun sales, required safe storage of firearms around children, and the elimination of the political, pro-gun “Handgun Permit Review Board.” Also, there is no excuse whatsoever to stop Maryland from joining the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium to combat illegal gun trafficking. I want to see the above steps taken immediately. I’m sure you’re thinking that being regressive on gun policy will help earn you support in a 2020 Republican presidential primary. I can assure you, however, that Maryland voters and general election voters will be having none of it. Lives are at stake and we will not tolerate you playing politics with the well-being of our loved ones.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan
Phone: (410) 974-3901
Email via webform: https://governor.maryland.gov/contact-the-governor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarryHogan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/govlarryhogan

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16 people have taken this action