NRA Apologist Larry Hogan Shifts on Guns—Again

Annapolis, MD — Today, with the Maryland Senate on the verge of passing “red flag” legislation to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose danger to themselves or others, Larry Hogan is refusing to support the measure.  This represents another political miscalculation from Hogan, who indicated support for gun violence prevention measures but wants to protect his A-minus NRA rating.

In February, two weeks after the Parkland shooting, Hogan reluctantly voiced support of the “red flag” bill under pressure from the national  #NeverAgain movement thousands of Marylanders demanding action against gun violence.  What changed?

“Keeping guns out of the hands of people who are dangerous to themselves and others is common sense,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Matthews.  “It’s obvious that Governor Hogan is feeling heat from the gun lobby in Maryland, which is why he refuses to support this commonsense piece of legislation.  Larry Hogan can protect Marylanders from gun violence, or he can kowtow to his NRA backers, but he can’t do both.  Enough is enough.”

Last month, hours after the tragic shooting at Great Mills High school, Hogan cynicallyattempted to attack Democrats in an effort to divert attention from his record of opposition to gun safety measures and his refusal to release his answers to a National Rifle Association (NRA) questionnaire that earned him his A-Minus NRA rating.

If the past six weeks are any indication, Hogan will keep attempting to shape-shift on guns, so let’s set the record straight:

2014

• Larry Hogan refused to release his answers to the NRA questionnaire that earned him an A-minus NRA rating.
• Larry Hogan was caught making secret promises to gun advocates
• Larry Hogan has been described as a “gun enthusiast.”
• Larry Hogan opposed the assault weapons ban passed by Democrats in 2013 following the Sandy Hook shooting, which he said “didn’t make a lot of sense” and “went too far.”
• Larry Hogan promised to “roll back” gun laws.
• Larry Hogan promised to “make it easier” to buy guns

2015

• Larry Hogan opposed and ridiculed as “silly” Democrats’ efforts to prevent individuals on the terrorist watch list from buying guns.
• Larry Hogan accepts $4,000 in campaign donations from the NRA

2016

• Hogan attempted to appoint an extremist gun advocate to the Handgun Permit Review Board.
• Larry Hogan opposed Democratic legislation to ban guns on college campuses.
• Larry Hogan opposed Democratic legislation to prevent convicted domestic abusers from owning guns.

2018

• Larry Hogan dismissed a Democratic proposals to ban bump stocks and prevent dangerous individuals from receiving a concealed carry permit, saying, “I don’t think anyone in the history of our state has ever been killed by a bump stock” and “neither one of them is very serious.”