Attempted assassination offers chance to rethink gun rights

The Baltimore Sun’s commentary on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump has been broad and thoughtful, but it is not too soon to bring up Second Amendment originalism (“Supreme Court can’t make up its mind on the Second Amendment,” July 2).

Since the former president survived a very close call, I would imagine he is intensely questioning the wisdom of Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court regarding this originalism. The attempted assassination was at the hands of a young loner with an accurate rapid-fire rifle. The framers were unaware of the capabilities of modern weaponry — they were mainly concerned with keeping muskets available to state militias.

With his right ear pierced by an assault rifle bullet, I hope Trump will be motivated to comment on this issue.

— George Harrison, Towson

Maryland must not overregulate homeowner groups

I am writing to address the growing concerns among Maryland’s homeowners’ associations regarding the potential ramifications of the Corporate Transparency Act on operations. While transparency within corporate structures is undoubtedly important, applying the act to homeowners’ associations presents unique challenges that merit careful consideration.

Homeowners’ associations play a vital role in communities, overseeing the maintenance of communal spaces and fostering engagement among residents. Implementation of the act introduces new regulatory requirements that may impose significant burdens on homeowners’ associations and their volunteer board members.

One of the primary concerns raised by homeowners’ associations is the requirement for board members to disclose personal information to the federal government. This raises legitimate privacy concerns among volunteers uncomfortable with the idea of federal disclosure. Moreover, complying with these disclosure requirements could divert valuable time and resources away from essential community initiatives.

In addition to privacy concerns, the act also introduces penalties for noncompliance, including fines and potential imprisonment. Such punitive measures could deter volunteers from serving on association boards, ultimately undermining effective governance and the sustainability of these communities.

It is essential to recognize that homeowners’ associations operate as nonprofit entities with a primary focus on serving the interests of their residents. Subjecting homeowners’ associations to the same regulatory framework as corporate entities may not be appropriate and could hinder their ability to fulfill their core mission of serving their communities effectively.

In light of these concerns, I urge policymakers to reconsider the application of the Corporate Transparency Act to homeowners’ associations in Maryland. Instead, policymakers should engage with homeowners’ associations to develop tailored solutions that balance the need for transparency with the unique challenges faced by associations.

The potential implications of the Corporate Transparency Act on Maryland’s homeowners’ associations are significant and warrant careful consideration. By addressing the concerns raised by homeowners’ associations and their stakeholders, policymakers can ensure that transparency efforts align with the needs of our communities.

— Blaine Tobin, Falls Church, Virginia

The writer is senior media relations manager for Community Associations Institute.

Is Trump’s call for unity sincere? It’s doubtful

As former President Donald Trump calls for unity after a failed assassination attempt on his life, I am skeptical he is sincere (“GOP convention kicks off amid calls for unity from Donald Trump following assassination attempt,” July 15). Trump’s entire career has been based on the divide-and-rule principle. He’s a demagogue who spews incendiary rhetoric at the least provocation on his Truth Social platform and on social media elsewhere.

Trump refused to accept the 2020 election result. To this day, he says he won that election, although in private, he’s said to have admitted he didn’t. He did not give a concession speech. Instead, he gave a fiery pre-insurrection speech. He precipitated in an insurrection, and he never admitted his role in the fake-electors scheme. He didn’t apologize to the American people for the anarchy and hate crimes he unleashed with his verbal attacks.

Can Trump change for the better? Yes, anyone can, but for Trump it will be a Herculean effort to climb out of the abyss in which he has cast himself. He hasn’t shown me any sign that he has begun the process of penitence and change.

When the media asks all sides to calm down, it draws a false equivalency between those who don’t support Trump and Trump and his supporters, the latter of whom have threatened election workers, judges, and witnesses in the various Trump prosecutions.

— Usha Nellore, Bel Air