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Panel debates HB 171 to extend handgun-permit renewal to five years for retired law enforcement
Summary
Sponsors said HB 171 would ease licensing workload and align Maryland with neighboring states by extending handgun‑permit renewal for retired law enforcement from three to five years; supporters cited administrative savings and continued checks on eligibility; opponents urged equal treatment and warned against broad exemptions.
Delegate William Ballantyne (presenting HB 171) and witnesses urged the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 29, 2025, to extend carry‑permit renewal periods for retired law enforcement officers from three to five years.
Ballantyne said the change would bring Maryland closer to neighboring states (Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia) that have five‑year renewal cycles. Retired‑officer witnesses—including Donald McCord (retired lieutenant, Maryland State Police Alumni Association) and Brian Blueval (sergeant, Maryland State Police; president, Maryland Troopers Association)—said the extension would reduce licensing investigations and costs for the Maryland State Police Licensing Division and permit resources to be directed to higher‑priority criminal work. “Given the years of dedicated service and sacrifice to the state of Maryland and our communities, we would appreciate your consideration in extending the renewal time,” McCord said.
Attorney Mark Pennock said Maryland was processing a very large permit population and suggested a five‑year renewal would reduce workload; he said there were roughly 194,053 permit holders as of a July 2024 date cited in testimony (he described the figure as the basis for urging a longer renewal cycle). Cornerstone Government Affairs (representing the Troopers Association) said they were working with fiscal staff to resolve a fiscal-note discrepancy that had appeared in the draft analysis.
Opposition testimony came from Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence. Karen Herron said retired officers already receive some statutory allowances under the handgun qualification/licensing system (for example, certain training and fee exemptions) and argued that a badge alone should not confer additional exemptions from safeguards. “A badge, past or present, should not be a blanket exemption from the very safe guards that we've designed to protect Maryland families,” she said.
Supporters emphasized that retired officers remain subject to annual system checks, that misconduct would flag permits, and that the proposal applies only to retired officers “in good standing,” not to the broader public. Multiple delegates asked whether the bill should be expanded beyond retired law enforcement; the sponsor responded that the proposal was intentionally narrow as a first step and that further changes would be a committee matter.
The committee took testimony from a multi-panel group of witnesses and closed the hearing with no recorded committee vote.
Ending: Testimony concluded; committee moved on to other business. Witnesses and delegates indicated willingness to work on language and fiscal-note issues if the committee advanced the bill.
