I can be categorized in a number of ways: wife,
mother to three daughters, grandmother of 5, Christian, gun owner, concealed carry
permit holder, and proud defender of this eroding right.
Like me, I know that you understand the importance of
protecting and defending the idea of individual liberty
and the Constitution of the United States. As you know,
there is a strong effort underway to undermine and
eliminate the Second Amendment to the Constitution that
guarantees an individual the right to keep and bear
arms.
This year, anti-Second Amendment forces gathered
behind a number of initiatives including a ban on guns
that were deemed "assault" rifles. Despite a complete
lack of evidence that banning these or any guns has any
affect on crime, these anti-gun groups thought that they
could politicize the tragedies of the Beltway sniper
shootings to forward their liberal gun banning agenda.
In an uncommon moment of honesty in the hearings,
some of the groups that testified in favor of this gun
ban candidly and openly admitted that banning these
"assault" rifles was the first step towards BANNING ALL
HANDGUNS IN MARYLAND!
We know that this is their real objective. They don't
understand guns or why anyone would want to own them, so
they want to stop us from owning them.
I argued repeatedly and fiercely with the gun ban
proponents during the hearing. One of my proudest
moments of session was when the Committee room packed
with Second Amendment supporters, burst into applause
when I asked a gun-banning group, "Why do you want to
take a gun away from me, when a gun in my hands could
someday save your life?" The crowd had to be gaveled
quiet with threats from the anti-gun Chairman of my
Committee from Montgomery County.
You see, I am one of the anti-gun groups' biggest
fears - - a grandmother that owns a gun and has a right
to carry permit and is not afraid to confront them over
their lies and distortions.
We were able to surprisingly defeat this gun ban by
one vote in my Committee with the help of Governor
Ehrlich working with me to convince the swing member of
my Committee to vote against it. Defeating this bill
gives our side some incredible momentum, since this was
the primary effort of the gun banning forces.
We won't stop here though. We are putting the
anti-gun groups on the defensive by sponsoring
legislation to give all Maryland law-abiding citizens
the right to protect themselves. There is no excuse for
Maryland ignoring the truth about becoming a shall-issue
state for concealed carry permits. The facts show that
crime dramatically decreases when criminals don't know
who might be carrying a gun.
Shall issue laws make everyone safer and recognize
the fundamental right to self-protection.
I possess a right to carry permit only because of
threats that were made against me based on my voting
record. It is patently wrong that someone's life has to
be threatened before one has the right to defend one's
self in the state of Maryland.
I co-sponsored the bill that would have granted
Marylanders this basic right, but it fell short by one
vote.
You have my word that I will not rest until law
abiding citizens have the right to carry a gun for self
defense.
I know that being a visible advocate for gun rights
in this state makes me a target. I realize that there is
a large segment of the population that through ignorance
fears guns. Guns will continue to be vilified by the
political left, and those that support gun ownership are
vulnerable.
That is why I am turning to you. I know that you
understand the importance of freedom and protection of
the Second Amendment. The Montgomery County liberal
groups are well funded and would love to have the head
of a visible Second-Amendment supporter like myself as
an election trophy.
It is imperative that I begin to raise funds for my
re-election now. I need your help urgently to show the
liberal groups my electoral strength.
Please consider giving my re-election campaign a gift
of $200, $100 or even $50. Your contribution will go
directly to my re-election effort, and allow me to
continue to defend our Constitution from liberal
attacks.
I am a legislator who wears as a badge of honor my
"Gun Owner and Proud" lapel button. But my visibility on
this issue makes me a target.
We can make a difference in Maryland and give all
Marylanders the fundamental right of self-protection. I
need to know that I can count on your support in this
effort. We are only one vote away in my Committee now!
There is a slim margin in the Senate that will either
protect or erode your rights! Please help to make a
difference today. With your help we can make Maryland a
Second Amendment state!
Sincerely,
Nancy Jacobs
Maryland State Senate
Cecil / Harford District 34
