"Shall Issue" Finally Lands in Maryland

It's a good day for gun owners and public safety

Shall Issue concealed carry regulations finally came to Maryland today, by order of Governor Larry Hogan.

Governor Larry Hogan @GovLarryHogan

In light of a recent Supreme Court ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry Permits. My full statement:

The Governor made the correct decision in this matter in order to comply with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. It certainly won’t hurt his Presidential aspirations either.

And yet the decision comes a few years too late. This was a decision that Governor Hogan could have made at the outset of his administration. Yes, he expanded access to carry permits back in 2016, but the removal of the hated “good and substantial” could have been done at the same time. Or earlier.

Perhaps the decision was made to wait for case law to catch up to common sense and the Constitution in eliminating “good and substantial”. That would give him political cover with Democrats and the General Assembly.

But either way, it is a decision that is well overdue in Maryland. And one that, Constitutionality, will remain beyond his governorship.