Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.79) on December 26, 2000 at 18:08:
With the issue now settled, I want to thank you for contacting me regarding your opposition to Senate bill 211: The Responsible Gun Safety Acto of 2000. Your support has meant a great deal to those of us who have attempted to defeat this restrictive legislation.
As you are likely aware, SB 211 passed in the House of Delegates on Monday by a vote of 83-57. I have enclosed this roll call vote, as well as the final Senate vote, for your review.
Looking back, this was the most politicized, corrupt process that I have encountered during my six years in the Maryland General Assembly. The expertise and the will of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee were totally bypassed. The rules of the Senate were violated numerous times during the March 23rd session.
Once SB 211 passed in the Senate, I did not think it could get worse ... but it did. In order to ensure passage of a "clean" bill which would not be subject to debate in the Senate, the Governor traded votes at the expense of the taxpayers. After the House Judiciary Committee passed the bill last Friday, the Governor released his $182 million supplemental budget the next day.
It was full of "pork" projects and insulted those legislators who had offered tax relief initiatives. The Governor was able to afford to buy votes for his treasured piece of legislation, but refused to provide meaningful tax relief to the citizens of Maryland despite a budget surplus approaching $1 billion.
In all, this process was disappointing. Defeating the Governor's original Smart Gun proposal was the only silver lining to this cloud. Fortunately, firearm owners can still manipulate their guns, not the other way around.
Regardless, this experience will not deter me from continuing my defense of the Second Amendment; in fact, my resolve has strengthened. Simply, gun control is no substitute for crime control, and law-abiding citizens should not be punished for the lawlessness of violent criminals.
Once again, thank you for your input. If I can ever be of assistance to your or your family, please feel free to call me.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Nancy Jacobs
State Senator