Paul L. Abell

The Board meeting focused on the review of various handgun petitions, including enhanced model additions, caliber additions, and restriction removals. The Board also reviewed samples and reports for several new handgun models to determine compliance with state criteria regarding safety, ballistics, and manufacturing quality. Additionally, the Board voted to approve the Project ChildSafe cable lock for addition to its list of approved mechanical safety devices.

The board reviewed numerous petitions for handgun additions, including enhanced models and caliber modifications. Most petitions were approved with a 7-1 vote, despite dissenting votes regarding safety concerns raised by one member. Some firearms were specifically identified by a board member as assault weapons. Certain petitions were tabled or disapproved due to failure to meet statutory criteria for reliability, quality of manufacture, or functional issues such as feeding problems.

This Strategic Plan for the Maryland State Police outlines the Department's direction for 2017-2021, with a 2020 update, focusing on ensuring Maryland is a safe place to live, work, and visit. The plan is guided by four strategic goals: preventing and investigating crime while supporting allied law enforcement agencies; enhancing highway safety; supporting citizens and communities; and developing an efficient and effective workforce. It emphasizes values of integrity, fairness, and service, with an aim to guide all departmental activities and foster public trust.

The board discussed and took action on numerous handgun petitions, including the approval of enhanced models and new caliber additions, as well as the evaluation and tabling of several specific firearm samples due to safety, functionality, or performance concerns. Additionally, the board approved the inclusion of several integrated mechanical safety devices, such as trigger and cable locks, onto their Approved Safety Devices list.

The board discussed and reviewed a tabled petition for the Taurus TS9 9mm handgun. The review process included an examination of a sample firearm and consideration of an oral and written report from the MSP Firearms/Toolmarks Examiner, evaluating criteria such as concealability, ballistic accuracy, weight, material quality, manufacturing quality, safety, caliber, detectability, and utility. The board voted to approve the firearm as meeting the statutory requirements.