An amendment to a parks-related bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons in county parks was narrowly defeated this week in the Baltimore County Council.
As introduced, the bill said that only law enforcement officers or those authorized by the director of Recreation and Parks could bring weapons into county parks.
Councilman Todd Crandell of the 7th district, which includes Dundalk and Essex, wanted to include language that would allow people with “wear and carry” permits to bring their guns into parks.
Amendment
Bill before Crandell amendment
David Marks, whose district includes Towson and Perry Hall, and Wade Kach, who represents the northern part of the county including parts of the Towson area, voted in favor of allowing the guns in parks.
Tom Quirk, Vicki Almond, Julian Jones Jr. and Cathy Bevins voted against the amendment.
“Maryland has an extensive screening process for those who wish to receive a concealed carry permit. The State Police complete a comprehensive and exhaustive background check on every application, and there is a determination that a qualified individual needs the protection as a reasonable precaution against danger,” Marks said of his vote.
“These procedures were developed by the state, not by Baltimore County, and put Maryland among states that have the toughest gun control criteria in the country. I trust the State Police to do their job,” Marks said.
It is illegal to bring “wear and carry” guns into state parks.
“Existing gun regulations should be enforced, not dismantled in Baltimore County,” said Yara Cheikh, a Towson-area activist. Although it failed, the vote to allow guns in parks, she said, “was inexcusable.”
-Kristine Henry
The Towson Flyer