Howard Co. Firefighter Who Lost Position Sues
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) -- A former Howard County volunteer firefighter who lost his position after posting Facebook messages critical of gun control legislation is suing.
The Daily Record of Baltimore reports Mark Grutzmacher filed a federal lawsuit Thursday in Baltimore seeking to be reinstated. He had been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for 18 years when he was dismissed in February.
Grutzmacher argues his comments are protected by the First Amendment.
A Howard County spokesman declined to comment Thursday on the lawsuit because officials had not yet seen it.
Grutzmacher wasn't the only one fired for Facebook comments critical of gun control legislation. Former Battalion Chief Kevin Buker criticized liberal politicians' support of assault weapons legislation. Buker was also fired and is seeking his job back. Grutzmacher posted on Buker's page.
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