On Wednesday, March 4, at 1:15 p.m., the Maryland House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear House Bill 713. HB 713 was introduced with the supposed intent of curbing poaching and helping to end the illegal ivory trade. Unfortunately, HB 713 would accomplish neither of these purported objectives. The bill would, however, harm those who have no part in these activities; firearm owners, sportsmen, hunters, recreational shooters and gun collectors who have legally purchased firearms (and knives, jewelry and other items) that have incorporated ivory features for decades.
House Bill 713 would significantly diminish the value of legally obtained firearms containing any ivory, even if that ivory was legally purchased or is a bona fide antique. This is even stricter than recent federal proposals to further restrict domestic sales of ivory. If implemented, the proposed ban would make sales of legally acquired ivory and horn products a misdemeanor, with second or subsequent offenses punishable as a felony.
Please plan to attend the hearing on Wednesday and testify in opposition to this bill. If you are not able to attend, please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to oppose House Bill 713. Contact information and location for the House Judiciary Committee is provided below.
House Office Building, Room 101
6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
House Judiciary Committee:
Delegate Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D-23B), Chair
Email: joseph.vallario@house.state.md.us
Phone: (410)-841-3488
Delegate Kathleen M. Dumais (D-15), Vice Chair
Email: kathleen.dumais@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3052
Delegate Curt Anderson (D-43)
Email: curt.anderson@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3291
Delegate Vanessa E. Atterbeary (D-13)
Email: Vanessa.Atterbeary@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3471
Delegate Will Campos (D-47B)
Email: Will.Campos@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3340
Delegate Jill P. Carter (D-41)
Email: jill.carter@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3268
Delegate John W. E. Cluster, Jr. (R-8)
Email: john.cluster@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3526
Delegate Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (D-40)
Email: frank.conaway@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3189
Delegate William Folden (R-3B)
Email: William.Folden@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3240
Delegate Glen Glass (R-34A)
Email: glen.glass@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3280
Delegate Jay Jalisi (D-10)
Email: Jay.Jalisi@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3358
Delegate Trent Kittleman (R-9A)
Email: Trent.Kittleman@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3556
Delegate Susan K. McComas (R-34B)
Email: susan.mccomas@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3272
Delegate David Moon (D-20)
Email: David.Moon@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3474
Delegate Marice Morales (D-19)
Email: Marice.Morales@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3528
Delegate Neil Parrott (R-2A)
Email: neil.parrott@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3636
Delegate Deborah C. Rey (R-29B)
Email: Deborah.Rey@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3227
Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg (D-41)
Email: samuel.rosenberg@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3297
Delegate William C. Smith, Jr.(D-20)
Email: Will.Smith@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3493
Delegate Charles E. Sydnor, III (D-44B)
Email: Charles.Sydnor@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3802
Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A)
Email: geraldine.valentino.smith@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-33101
Delegate Brett Wilson (R-2B)
Email: brett.wilson@house.state.md.us
Phone: 410-841-3125
