Maryland Stance Enforcer Banned from Montgomery County

The Maryland Stance Enforcer, a black Ford Explorer Police Interceptor that looks like a state trooper at first glance, was banned from entering Montgomery County by a 10:1 vote of the County Council today.

"Anyone who thinks they can drive around Montgomery County calling people out for how they position their feet in the stall will find themselves in Clarksburg doing three to five," County Executive Marc Erich said at a press conference. "We have zero tolerance here for LGBTQ hate."

Stance enforcement became popular in 2007 after former U.S. Senator Larry Craig was arrested for lewd behavior in an airport men's restroom and claimed it was a misunderstanding caused by his wide stance when using the toilet. The practice faded after the Supreme Court ruled gay marriage was legal in 2015.

Mug shot from Larry Craig’s June 11, 2007 arrest at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

"The Maryland Stance Enforcer is a relic from a shameful chapter of our recent history. He should stay in Thurmont where he belongs," said Council President Andrew Friedson.

Along with banning the Stance Enforcer from the county, the Council adopted rules revisions so that bumping shoes under a stall partition no longer qualifies as a misdemeanor offense.

The lone dissenting vote on the council came from At-Large member Evan Glass. "I'm pretty sure it's a car thing," he told The Montgonion.