Handgun Permit Review Board
The members of the Handgun Permit Review Board are required by the Maryland Constitution to take the following oath:
ARTICLE I
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
SEC. 9. Every person elected, or appointed, to any office of profit or trust, under this Constitution, or under the Laws, made pursuant thereto, shall, before he enters upon the duties of such office, take and subscribe the following oath, or affirmation: I, _______________, do swear, (or affirm, as the case may be,) that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office of________________, according to the Constitution and Laws of this State, (and, if a Governor, Senator, Member of the House of Delegates, or Judge,) that I will not directly or indirectly, receive the profits or any part of the profits of any other office during the term of my acting as ___________originally Article I, sec. 6, renumbered by Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Nov. 7, 1978).
In recent months certain individuals have used an internet forum to openly criticize several of our members who have volunteered to serve without pay on the Maryland Handgun Permit Review Board. (HPRB)
These individuals who feel free to disparage the character of the HPRB members apparently believe that taking an oath means nothing, which calls into question their own personal character and ethics.
Maryland law has not changed and the members of the Handgun Permit Review Board do not have the authority to change or ignore the law, no matter how strong there personal beliefs might be regarding the Second Amendment.
Perhaps, instead of offering criticism, those who are not satisfied might consider submitting an application to serve on the HPRB. We are all in this together and throwing stones at fellow gun owners accomplishes nothing.
If you are a "stone thrower" and you are not willing to offer your services on the HPRB, and truly believe you must continue to throw stones to advance your cause, please have the courage and decency to use your real name and not hide behind an internet forum moniker. |