Sheriff Candidates Weigh in on Gun Laws to Take Effect Oct. 1

Maryland's Firearms Safety Act of 2013 will go into effect on Oct. 1. 

The Act bans the sale of 45 types of guns, reduces magazine capacity, requires fingerprinting and a training course to obtain a license to own a gun, and prohibits those who suffer from a mental disorder and have a history of violent behavior from owning a gun, among other things. See details about the Act here. 

To date, three men have announced candidacy for Carroll County Sheriff in the 2014 election. They shared their opinions of the Firearms Safety Act with Patch. 

Carroll County Sheriff Col. Phil Kasten, who announced his candidacy this summer, said he is not in favor of the Act and anticipates a legal challenge in the future. 

"Unfortunately the act focuses largely on law abiding citizens, banning altogether what were already regulated firearms after October 1st, and further complicating the legal ownership process with additional fees and costly requirements. Disarming law abiding citizens, or discouraging them from private firearms ownership makes them more vulnerable to crime and acts of violence. 

Fortunately those firearms and magazines legally purchased or possessed prior to October 1st are still lawful to possess or transport without further registration under the new regulations providing the owner does not transfer ownership or become ineligible due to restrictions related to mental health, violent crime convictions, or court orders for protection."  


Maryland State Police Capt. Jim DeWees announced his candidacy for Sheriff this spring.  He said he is not in favor of any new gun laws. "The books are convoluted with thousand’s that aren’t enforced or prosecuted locally or nationally," he said.

"With that being said, the fact is that the new law will take place regardless of my stance, or any other citizens stance.  These laws will significantly slow the amount of time it takes after purchasing a regulated firearm and actually receiving it.  Citizens of this county and throughout the state must be patient and comply with the regulations of the new law, so must the dealers.  

I support the efforts of the NRA to accelerate this law so that it’s in front of the US Supreme Court to determine its constitutionality so that a clearer picture can be drawn.

Although I do not support significant portions of this law, I do support keeping firearms out of the hands of mentally disturbed individuals.  I also support and advocate responsible gun ownership.  I want gun violence to stop just like everyone else.  New and expansive gun laws will not slow down the violence.  Criminals don’t go through background checks; they go through back alley checks.  Criminals don’t care if they are breaking the law when they illegally enter your home.  Your constitutional rights don’t matter to them, but it should to our law makers!" 

Chris Fiora, who announced his candidacy for Carroll County Sheriff in late spring said he is opposed to the Firearms Safety Act of 2013 because it violates the Second Amendment and is an "unnecessary tax bill." 

"A fingerprint licensing requirement is an infringement.  I believe that it violates the 4th amendment.  Moreover, there is no credible or empirical data to suggest that fingerprinting law abiding citizens to own guns will solve the problem of gun violence.  Just look at New Jersey, which has fingerprint licensing.  How is it working for them in Camden, Newark, and Trenton?  Even the Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker stated that law abiding citizens in Newark were not the ones committing crimes of violence with guns.  Criminals are the ones committing the gun crimes.

The problem of gun violence will be solved when we as County, State, and Country have the will to severely punish those who use guns to commit crime.  The Federal Government has severe penalties for those who are convicted felons in possession of firearms.  Why doesn’t the State of Maryland?  When Delegate Pat McDonough introduced legislation, HB 424, to enhance sentences for a specified crime of violence involving a firearm…, the legislature scoffed at the bill.     

Each mass killing in the past several years has been committed by individuals with mental health issues, some severe.  The legislation should focus on mental health treatment for those who seemingly fly under the radar and are able to obtain weapons.  Law enforcement may need additional tools in order to mitigate those making threats that have mental issues.  We need to develop a constitutionally guaranteed system that allows authorities to flag those with documented mental health issues and enter their names into a searchable database in order to prevent those with mental health issues from purchasing or otherwise obtaining a gun of any kind.  In addition, we need to address the urban problem of criminal gangs.  We need to disrupt them and punish those gang members using guns to terrorize our communities.      

With respect to Carroll County, I want the citizens of Carroll County to know that if elected as their Sheriff I will vigorously enforce the law against those who commit crimes with guns.  Moreover, I will use my discretion in conjunction with working with the States Attorney’s Office to minimize the effect of this new law on law abiding citizens of Carroll County."

Do you believe the new gun bill will make a difference in gun violence in Maryland? Tell us in comments.