Does any one living in MD feel their personal freedoms are limited by the state laws?? (Baltimore: 2010, lease)

[cpterp]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

Hmmmmmm, looks like the safest places are liberal bastions, like HI, MA, CT, NJ, NY, RI.

Maybe the title of this thread should be "Does anyone feel safe in MD because of Firearm restrictions...because you should!!"

Not really fair since those states are the most urban states as well. When you account for the fact that by far most of the residents of NJ, CT, RI, MA, and MD (the 5 most densely populated states) live in urban/suburban areas, it's not as bad as it looks.

Regarding the topic, yes MD is extremely regulated. I don't mind too much since I'm a liberal, it's really the borderline socialist policies here in Montgomery County that get to me sometimes. Nearly every time the county is in the Wash. Post it has to do with over regulation. For instance there's a rule banning the sale of Christmas trees before a certain date, it was the first county in the country to ban trans fats, the property taxes are insane (thankfully I don't pay any), it was one of the first counties to ban smoking in bars, and now we're the first county in MD to use speed cameras (which I'm sure many on here have been "acquainted" with). Of course the state on a whole strongly regulates firearms (2nd strictest state), cigarettes and virtually everything else. New Jersey however, is even stricter than MD is.

The Mercatus Institute is a right-wing think tank at G. Mason, and while I strongly disagree with their opinions, their findings are pretty much true.

[Tim Rankin]

cpterp, keep in mind those statistics were per capita, so they do account for population. Having said that, I think KeyserSoze makes a valid point about the need for regulations in more densely populated areas. For instance, I'd be perfectly fine with Montanans wearing firearms in rural areas. I may have an issue with someone [other than an officer] walking down Market St. in Frederick, wearing a 357 on their hip [or concealed under a flannel shirt].

To address a couple other points:

MD taxes are not insane. This subject has been discussed many times on these forums. Not only are they substantially lower than many of the NE states, but MD also beats VA in terms of total tax load. For subjective reasons, many posters cling to their "blue state" view of MD. One of the highest per capita tax loads in the nation is Wyoming, BION. Many people mistakenly think that an absence of a state income tax will save them money overall. Not always true.

Now regarding trans fats: They are very damaging to human health, and I applaud any state that bans them. In time we will see healthier populations, and lower medical costs as a result [but higher retiree costs too ].

Although I support reasonable anti-smoking laws, I agree than some counties, and Montgomery in particular, have gone way too far. So I agree with you on this one, that the state and/or county has over-extended its reach.

I spent 14 yrs living in NOVA, and honestly, I feel much more "free" in MD. Of course, I don't live in Montgomery County, so this may have something to do with it.

[Bette]

HOA's became popular b/c some people just don't keep up their homes. I appreciate my own HOA but it's not as strict as some. For example, in our community, we do not allow fences in our community. The open feel is what attracted us to the community, plus we are on a lake. We have little crime also.

[clintsullivan]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin;9544776Hmmmmmm, looks like the safest places are liberal bastions, like HI, MA, CT, NJ, NY, RI. :D

Maybe the title of this thread should be "[I

Does anyone feel safe in MD because of Firearm restrictions...because you should[/i]!!"

Really? I followed your link and brought up a few more stats from your source:

Burglary: #1 CA, #20 MD, #25 VA, #37 WV, #46 DC
Aggr Assault: #1 CA, #14 MD, #22 VA, #35 DC , #37 WV
Forcible Rape: #1 CA, #16 VA, #29 MD, #41 WV , #49 DC
Homicide: #1 CA, #10 MD, #11 VA, #33 WV (DC Not Incld)
Prop Crime: #1 CA, #17 MD, #18 VA, #39 WV, #44 DC

And from the FBI, the total reported violent crime per 100k in 2007:

Violent Crime #1 DC, #10 MD, #14 CA, #39 WV, #41 VA

DC had 55% more violent crime per capita than 2nd ranking state, but gun free DC is a city not a state so it's not really a fair comparison. Apparently one stat about gun deaths does not indicate safety from crime. I don't put much faith in statistical reports but this quick look sure makes me think that I wouldn't want to live in CA, or for that matter MD which consistantly ranks in the top 20 for crime.

[westsideboy]

I believe the law banning leaving an unoccupied car running is statewide.

[cpterp]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

cpterp, keep in mind those statistics were per capita, so they do account for population. Having said that, I think KeyserSoze makes a valid point about the need for regulations in more densely populated areas. For instance, I'd be perfectly fine with Montanans wearing firearms in rural areas. I may have an issue with someone [other than an officer] walking down Market St. in Frederick, wearing a 357 on their hip [or concealed under a flannel shirt].

To address a couple other points:

MD taxes are not insane. This subject has been discussed many times on these forums. Not only are they substantially lower than many of the NE states, but MD also beats VA in terms of total tax load. For subjective reasons, many posters cling to their "blue state" view of MD. One of the highest per capita tax loads in the nation is Wyoming, BION. Many people mistakenly think that an absence of a state income tax will save them money overall. Not always true.

Now regarding trans fats: They are very damaging to human health, and I applaud any state that bans them. In time we will see healthier populations, and lower medical costs as a result [but higher retiree costs too ].

Although I support reasonable anti-smoking laws, I agree than some counties, and Montgomery in particular, have gone way too far. So I agree with you on this one, that the state and/or county has over-extended its reach.

I spent 14 yrs living in NOVA, and honestly, I feel much more "free" in MD. Of course, I don't live in Montgomery County, so this may have something to do with it.

Hey, I'm with you 100%. My point about the population density, is that crime is more likely to occur in densely populated areas. For instance if you have a hundred persons living in a city and another hundred persons living on farmland, the former are more likely to be victims of crime (assault, car theft, burglary, rape, murder etc.).

As for taxes, remember that it's not just state income tax, MD charges a lot for automobile licensing, sales tax (6% which is relatively high), a first in country "millionaires tax," and O'Malley tried to push through a computer services tax last year.

Yeah, if you're not living in MoCo you definitely are more "free." The population growth of MoCo has leveled off as more people move to Frederick County, even while the number of new residents from out-of-state grows. I agree with most of the regulation, and they are needed in more densely populated areas, but some of them in MoCo are just plain ridiculous.

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by KeyserSoze

You misread. I never said that it's "better if only the bad guys have the weapons." I said that if the laws concerning the right to carry in the state of Maryland were much less restraining, then it would just make it all that much easier for criminals or anyone really to get away with it. Only adding fuel to an already blazing fire.

Yeah because we all know that disarming law-abiding citizens will make it harder for criminals to obtain guns!

FYI in states that allow CCW, criminals STILL aren't allowed to carry or own guns.

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by Moth

I have issues with some of the laws and policies in Maryland. But none of them really impinge on my personal freedom. I can purchase a firearm with a background check- something I find reasonable. Carry permits? Gimme a break. The same idiots who behave like mad chimps in public should be able to carry a gun? Sorry, no. I will take my chances with the criminals.

Those "mad chimps" would be disqualified from carrying under a shall-issue CCW system.

[KeyserSoze]

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

Yeah because we all know that disarming law-abiding citizens will make it harder for criminals to obtain guns!

How did you come to that conclusion from what I stated? And how would you know that for sure? Or did you just want to complain?

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

FYI in states that allow CCW, criminals STILL aren't allowed to carry or own guns.

Then how do they still end up with them, and commit crimes with them?

[KeyserSoze]

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

Those "mad chimps" would be disqualified from carrying under a shall-issue CCW system.

Funny how it never works out that way. And even if that's how it goes, then why would you need a permit to carry? Potential Wrongdoers wouldn't be able to have access to one, or do you just need a reason to feel entitled?