Baltimore, #2. Woo-hoo.
While we may have a R governor...we are still infected...er,
influenced by proximity to DC with a LOT of highly-D areas and counties (including the City of Baltimore). Google "Montgomery County" if you want to see a vivid, disgusting example of those policies at work.
We are a "may-issue" state that requires a "good and substantial reason" for a carry permit - business owner, cash deposits, court-proven threats against safety. As a business owner, I have my permit - a "wear and carry" permit that does not legally distinguish between concealed or open carry - and I am one of the few who do carry in our state. Our process is....cumbersome, to say the least, and it is all funneled through a 3 man review board.
All that explains why, when I went to PA to get a non-resident permit (I live a stones-throw from PA and do most of my shopping there because that's closer than the nearest stores in MD)...they looked at me like I was a unicorn. "You HAVE a Maryland permit??"
I carry daily...but you bet your a$$ I've got not only my XD-s but also plenty of spare ammo on my belt, in case I have to go to Baltimore. I'm a late-40s white male...I *AM* the enemy down there, and I avoid that city like the plague. But, sometimes, work forces me to go...so I go prepared.
Any friends I have, or customers/acquaintences, who are LEOs and know I carry? Are glad to see it. They know I've got their back, and welcome all the help they can get in today's political climate.
They were doing an aerial search near my house in western Maryland a couple years ago (a no-fly zone since I live close to...um...close to where Camp David is rumored to be located
- so when there's aircraft overhead, we know something's up). My neighbors and I were in their yard, which gives a good view of both their property and mine. I was wearing my pistol; Kevin was wearing his; Kelly was leaning on her shotgun, and we were just standing and chatting. Sheriff pulled up, got out, eyed us...and asked "see anything?" "No sir, just keeping an eye out". "Call us if you do see anything?" "Absolutely. Before? Or...after?" The sheriff grinned from ear to ear, and just hopped back into his car as he wished us a good evening.
For contrast, one day I was working in Montgomery County, 60 minutes from home, and had a city cop stop me - during a concert I was running at the time - and say "someone saw you have a gun on your hip" (I guess I bent over to pick up some equipment and my shirt lifted enough to let the baseplate peek out - you will remember, MD does not distinguish between concealed or open carry so I am not legally required to conceal), and I had to go through the whole "yes, officer, I have my permit here in my wallet and as you can see I am working at the moment...". In the middle of a concert that I control. With a moderate crowd (small city park) of about 5,000 people.
60 minutes from home.
Worlds apart.