What seemed like it was going to take some pulling of teeth, apparently did not take that long, at all really. Maryland has dropped their “Good and substantial reason” requirements from their permit to carry application process. The Maryland concealed carry permit, officially called the “handgun wear and carry permit”, was as much of an impossibility for the non-gentry to receive as they are/were in other may issue jurisdictions. Whenever I talk to people in free America, Maryland has always been towards the top of the list on gross infringements to our liberties, just after Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and California. Great crab cakes, crumby grasp of fundamental freedoms. On July 5, 2022, the Maryland State Police issued an “Advisory”, wherein Governor Larry Hogan directed the requirement to be dropped from the process.

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:

“Over the course of my administration, I have consistently supported the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms, while enacting responsible and common sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

“Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a provision in New York law pertaining to handgun permitting that is virtually indistinguishable from Maryland law. In light of the ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to immediately suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry Permits. It would be unconstitutional to continue enforcing this provision in state law. There is no impact on other permitting requirements and protocols.

“Today’s action is in line with actions taken by other states in response to the recent ruling.”

While patriots and lovers of freedom would have loved to have seen on the morning after Thomas’s birthday bash all of the stubborn states fall in line immediately, we all knew that was not likely. What is promising though, is that some of these jurisdictions seem to be trying to do the right thing. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding. I’m looking forward to seeing the large swaths of newly minted concealed carry permit holders holding up their cards in front of their state houses to let the pinkos know that freedom actually won on this one. We shall see.

The state police in Maryland did offer a note about making changes to the system and gave guidance on how to fill out a permit to wear and carry application.

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division is in the process of updating the Licensing Portal to reflect these changes. Until these updates are complete, applicants submitting a Wear and Carry Permit application are directed to select “Personal Protection / Category Not Listed Above” as their “Handgun Permit Category”. Applicants are not required to attach documents to the “PERSONAL PROTECTION DOCUMENTATION” section on the “Upload Documents” page of the Wear and Carry Permit application.

Additional information and a link to the Licensing Portal, can be found on the Maryland State Police website. Maryland State Police Licensing Division.

The memo is clearly circulating, and while some states are still kicking and screaming, others are slowly getting the message. Is the fight over? Absolutely not. It’s just begun in many ways. Seeing Maryland take a similar approach that New Jersey did, at least on paper, is promising, especially given the state’s own history with permit to carry denial challenges. Will there be any games in Maryland about issuing these permits, any hidden pitfalls? We’re fixing to find out.

Like all these other newly folded policies, we’ll have to wait to see how things work out practically. Hopefully it’s not too soon to offer our congratulations to our crabcake munching freedom lovers in the Old Line State. We’ll be watching and reporting back with any developments on the issue.