Former Handgun Permit Review Board Member Removed From Hearing On Bill That Would Abolish Panel

During a hearing an Annapolis on a bill that would eliminate the state's Handgun Permit Review Board, a former member of the board was forcibly removed after refusing to observe a time limit on her testimony.

Given one minute to discuss the substance of her objection, Shari Judah took issue with what she said were false assertions in a Baltimore Sun editorial. When a timer went off to indicate her time was up, a Senate committee member instructed her to finish her sentence. Instead, she raised her voice. Her testimony begins at 35:50 in the General Assembly's video of the hearing.

"The effort to abolish the handgun permit review board is more than an attack on the board," she said. "It is an attack on law-abiding citizens who are simply seeking to defend themselves and following the lawful process to do so."

She was then escorted from the room by state troopers as she shouted, "You're a disgrace! You're a disgrace"

The bill would abolish the review board and instead direct handgun wear and carry permit appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings. Democratic leaders in Annapolis have expressed concern that the board overrules Maryland State Police too often.

Judah was a recess appointee to the board in 2017. Gov. Larry Hogan withdrew her nomination during the 2018 legislative session.