The Maryland Senate rejected a nominee for the board that reviews applications for concealed-carry permits because he questions the constitutionality of Maryland law that requires a “good and substantial reason” to carry a firearm.
Businessman Richard Jurgena has served on the Handgun Permit Review Board since being appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2015. However, Senate Democrats turned against Jurgena after he commented to The Baltimore Sun that U.S. Supreme Court rulings led him to believe the Maryland requirement was unconstitutional. Jurgena also told the Sun that, despite his personal views, he must follow state law and has rejected applicants who failed to meet the requirement.
The Senate voted 23-22 to approve him, but Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said since it was one vote shy of a 24-vote majority in the 47-member chamber, it was sufficient to remove him. Republican senators objected and said they’ll request a written opinion from the attorney general.
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Use Your Power!
Maryland gun owners are rightfully outraged that a serving member of the Handgun Review Board can be removed not for his performance, but for having personal views of the Bill of Rights that differ from Maryland state law. Contact your Senator today and express your support for Richard Jurgena—and the Constitution—by clicking
here.
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