High-risk occupations could soon be permitted to carry a handgun

MARYLAND- Soon high-risk occupations, like a firefighter, could be allowed to carry a handgun.

That’s if a bill in the Maryland General Assembly passes.

“The bill would require the Secretary of the Maryland state police to grant a license for concealed carry, unless the person of course was previously prohibited,” Delegate Wayne Hartman said.

The bill could expand the amount of occupations allowed to carry a handgun.

This would include physicians-firefighters and even nurses.

We are told sometimes they are put in unsafe situations on the job.

“Our first responders, EMT’s are going into situations in rural areas where if they need help, help is far away,” Delegate Hartman said.

The President of the Ocean City Firefighters Union said sometimes assault calls can turn violent.

“Sometimes an individual a perpetrator who has caused those assaults see us also as a bad guy,” Ryan Whittington, President of the OC Firefighters Union, said. “It’s also the doctors and physicians that travel at odd hours of the evening where people may know that have access to write prescriptions.”

I am told right now people have to prove they have been either threatened or at risk on the job to get those permits.
So, this bill could make the process easier.

“Rather than wait for something to happen, with these high-risk occupations, if the people in those high risk occupations want to apply for the permit they can do so,” Sena tor Mary Beth Carozza said.