As a Democrat in Talbot County, I used to say “There’s one thing I hate about Johnny Mautz: I like him so much.” It’s his charm and this can be a real asset in an elected official because they seem so caring and accessible.
In this case, Johnny is dangerous to gun safety in our communities. In 2015, he co sponsored HB 0306 (The Firearms Decriminalization Act) which would repeal the gun safety laws put in effect by Maryland’s historic Firearms Safety Act of 2013. In 2018, Johnny voted for and then within a week opposed the Red Flag law that allows a judge to remove firearms from individuals shown to be a dangerous to themselves or others due to emotional instability.
Our likeable Johnny can be expected to opposed common sense gun safety laws. His flip flop on the Red Flag Law shows the power and control the opponents of gun safety have over him.
It’s hard to keep track of what Delegates like Johnny Mautz are doing when they go to Annapolis. This is because unlike Congress where behavior in Washington is visible to people in their districts because of the national media, on the Mid Shore, what we know about them is largely local happy new about their presence at community events.
Whether Johnny Mautz believes in common sense gun laws or not, he has shown himself not to be strong enough to resist the gun rights advocates. For this reason, the one thing we can do to address gun violence is to vote against Johnny Mautz and in favor of candidates who are strong enough to support common sense gun safety.
Holly Wright
Easton
marian murphy says
As a fairly new resident to Talbot county I appreciate information like this. Clearly stated with an example of a candidates voting record. This is all I need to know so thanks Holly.
Charles Barranco says
Thank You Holly, for putting Johnny In prospective.
I recently received a large home circular, that listed all the things Johnny supports. The NRA was at the top of his list. He’s obviously proud of it! Or is that just a way to get votes and campaign funds from the manufacturers of assault weapons.
Susan Kemp says
I received the same Johnny Mautz circular, and am saddened at his support of the NRA. I have known, loved and admired him since he was a child. I know he’s a hunter, and I support that, but you don’t need a semi/automatic weapon to hunt deer and geese. Sadly, I won’t be voting for him in this election. Enough mass murders with unnecessary assault weaponry.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Susan, Are you at all concerned with the endless slaughter of people of color in our cities?
Mostly handguns in these killings.
Thank you-Steve
Deirdre LaMotte says
And this “slaughter” is caused by people bringing handguns from NRA friendly Red States into Blue States.
The issue is the same: regulate guns nationally, not State by State.
Barbara Denton says
Would you like to provide proof of that Deirdre? Guns in Blue States used for crimes are owned by criminals. They obviously pay no attention to gun laws as they are CRIMINALS. I am saddened that none of you including the letter writer have the common sense to understand that crimes in Blue States with rigid gun laws including our own are committed by criminals who have no regard for the law. Johnny Mautz has been an excellent delegate and he will make an excellent Senator for our district. Maryland’s Red Flag law would allow anyone who has a grudge against a gun owner to charge them with being a danger to themselves or other. No proof. Nothing. Just go round up their guns. If you will notice the states that have open carry laws have the least amount of deaths from guns because people are able to defend themselves.
Gerry Early says
I have also had some occasion in the past to interact with Johnny as our delegate and he has always been a positive and likeable guy.
But this article made me think of the letter to the editor in today’s issue of The Star Democrat, in which the writer laments the continuing mass shootings (approaching 250 nationwide thus far in 2022), and she asked “What Can We Do!”
I can’t believe any informed person could ask such a question. The answer is clear: If you want better gun safety, you must vote for Democratic candidates at the national and state levels.
If there ever was an open-and-shut case, this is it.
Sheila Scott says
Thank you, Holly for saying out loud what we all know. He is such a personable being and many know his family from way back starting with his father’s dental practice. But he does not reflect with his voting record what many of us want – common sense gun laws!
What a shame!
Francine De Sanctis says
Thank you, Holly for your research into this important topic. Since Uvalde, Texas massacre, there have been no less than 5 other attacks with guns. The ONLY way to begin controlling this American tragedy is voting OUT of office, the legislators who are jeopardizing our safety and those of our defenseless children.
Kathleen Carroll says
I only saw Johnny Mautz in person once and wasn’t impressed. But I know what I’ve seen of his voting record and could never vote for him.
Michael Davis says
Holly, thank you for this letter.
Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote a great column recently that noted that we are the only society in the entire world that accepts sacrificing children. No matter how many children are murdered with guns, we view that as an acceptable price to pay to protect the murders’ rights to puchase weapons that are designed to kill many people as fast as possible. Of course, we also accept the murder of people going to a grocery store as an acceptable price to support an absolutist view of the 2nd Amendment.
“Nice” guys like Johnny Mautz enable the sacrifice of children.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I read the article. As Maureen Dawd said, it is the GOP that is fine sacrificing children. The Democrats
have been fighting this proliferation of guns for over 40 years.
Vote Blue. It is the only choice if we want a civilized and representative Democracy where the people
speak and the representatives listen.
Mary Jane Wyant says
It has been frustrating to want to vote for him, yet not being able to compromise my stance on gun control and not being able to understand his- or anyone else’s- rejection of common sense gun laws. Thank you for the specifics.
Barbara Denton says
Please define a common sense gun law. Every year we go through this. Nothing the Democrats have done prevents mentally ill murderers from killing. Democrats want our guns. They want every gun that is legally owned in this Country registered so they can come and take them. The one Amendment that keeps us from tyranny is the Second Amendment. This letter is ridiculous. Johnny Mautz is an excellent candidate and will serve Talbot County and the other Counties in his district well.