EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the Dorchester County Council decided unanimously Feb. 18 to oppose new restrictions on gun ownership and use under consideration in the state legislature. The following letter was sent to the local delegation on Feb. 20, and released for publication.
Dear Senator Eckardt and Delegates Adams, Mautz and Sample-Hughes:
I am writing on behalf of the Dorchester County Council to express its support of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and to seek your assistance to preserve citizens rights under this amendment. The Second Amendment states that, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Like our forefathers we recognize the need to ensure our citizens are able to continue to have this right and not be infringed upon. We also understand the need to take prudent measures to ensure the safety of citizens through laws and regulations to prevent violent crimes.
Not only do many citizens in Dorchester County own guns for safety purposes, they collect them. They also use them for hunting. Several organizations also sponsor hunting events for our youth so they may carry on this tradition which has passed down from generation to generation.
Hunting events are also held in Dorchester County for Wounded Warriors. It is our understanding that there are currently several bills being considered during the 2020 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session that may have a negative impact on the rights bestowed to citizens under the Second Amendment.
Therefore we respectfully ask and urge you to take the necessary steps to preserve citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Thank you. Please contact the Council’s Office at (410) 228-1700 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dorchester County Council
Jay Newcomb