One of the things I read recently puts a clear light on what we have to look forward to for the nest three years (at least) with Martin O'Malley as governor of Maryland. I was doing a bit of research into the recent over-ride of O'Malley's veto of a bill passed last (regular) session.

That bill SB-497 overturned former Governor Paris Glenndenning's executive order prohibiting state police agencies from selling or trading-in used handguns. The bill passed last winter by unanimous vote in both houses! In spite of such overwhelming support, O'Malley still vetoed it.

Now I lack any current figures and seriously doubt they even exist but back when Paris G. first issued his order I was part of a group seeking it's overturn. At that time the figures for the last MSP firearm auction were available and while memory may be slightly off, as I recall that sale brought in either $125,000 or $250,000! This of course doesn't even count those firearms used as trade-ins by agencies upgrading to newer guns. Not only did we lose this source of recouped funding for the last ten years or so but we additionally had to PAY to have those same guns destroyed!

What SB-497 does is simply allow police agencies to sell or trade-in used firearms to "manufacturers." Now these manufactures will in turn naturally resell the guns but to do so means they will only go through existing (strict) legal channels. In other words, anyone buying a former Maryland police pistol will have met the same requirements as if he were buying any other handgun. Something he would have done regardless of what particular gun was available from the dealer.

Here's an excerpt from O'Malley's letter announcing his veto to Senate Pres. Mike Miller;
"...supporters of the bill argue that it will help local governments save money when
purchasing new service weapons. However, a fiscal analysis of the bill revealed little or no
impact on the overall finances of police agencies. In any event, significant legislation passed this
Session to provide additional funding for local police departments. Senate Bill 130 and House
Bill 611, which I will sign tomorrow, improve the State Aid for Police Protection Fund by
increasing State funding from $1,800 to $1,950 per sworn officer employed by each qualifying
municipality in FY 2009. This will result in an increase in municipal police aid of over
$235,000.
For the above stated reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 497.
Sincerely,
Martin O’Malley
Governor"

Now let's look at the two primary features here according to the Governor. "...analysis of the bill revealed little or no
impact on the overall finances of police agencies..." As compared to what? Remember they haven't been able to sell or trade-in a gun for years. The cost for a new gun could not be offset by re-couping the investment in the old one. Naturally continuing this practice would not result in any change!
"...significant legislation passed this session to provide additional funding for local police departments...This will result in an increase in municipal police aid of over $235,000..." Now this is where it gets really telling about O'Malley's philosophy not just about firearms but running the state in general. You see, using the decade old figures we can anticipate saving at least $200,000 in new expenses but O'Malley says it isn't needed because he's giving them that much in new tax money!

You'll be happy to know (I hope) that the legislature re-affirmed their commitment by over-riding the veto during the special session by a vote of 46-0 in the senate and 135-4 in the house.

So I guess you're telling us that O'Malley is an anti-gun tax and spend liberal.

Actually I'd hope everybody already knew that. What I'm telling you is that he is also arrogant and unresponsive to the wishes of the constituency. Veto a bill unanimously passed by both houses? That takes big ones!!!

I'd be tempted to at least give him points for tenacity but then given his lame explanation it's evident there is no principal at stake just rhetoric.

We are a few months out.
Anyone else got any feedback how things are going under Governor O'Malley's first term in office?
Help me figure out some of the accomplishments. I am not sure.

All anyone needs to do is look at their paycheck to see how much it has shrunk. That has been his only noteworthy accomplishment. We're all suffering under this clown, and for essentially nothing.

Thanks BMIC, I went thru last night looking for some threads that were somewhat neutral but would be inviting to you. I wanted you to feel welcome. I have missed your contributions and energy. Welcome back, glad to have you. CH

LOL! I appreciate the effort. Not a whole lots happening in the local news though. For which I suppose we can all be thankful.

Well we agree on this one that is for sure. I don't get how stupid people are we problems with the budget before Ehrlich and then when he was in we had a surplus. guess what people voted him out and now we have problems again. My only joy in all of this I know several CO's down at the prison and I get to rub it in to them that their union wanted this idiot in office. Before the last election they griped about Ehrlich not getting them their raises fast enough. Wel they are getting what they deserve. To bad the rest of us have to suffer.