Maine: House Approves Majority “Ought to Pass” Report on Firearm Owner’s Protection Legislation

Today, March 30, the Maine House of Representatives voted to accept the majority “ought to pass as amended” report for Legislative Document 1572.  LD 1572 would help ensure nondiscrimination against gun owners who reside in public housing.  In an attempt to kill the measure, House Chair, Representative Lori Fowle (D-Vassalboro), moved the minority “ought not to pass” report for LD1572.  Her motion to kill the bill failed by a vote of 92-54 and the majority “ought to pass” report was accepted.  LD 1572 must now pass a vote for final enactment in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before heading to Governor Paul LePage (R) for his consideration.  LD 1572 could be brought before both chambers for the final enactment vote by the end of this week.  Please contact both your state Senator and state Representative and politely urge them to vote in favor of final enactment for LD 1572.  Also, if your state Senator and Representative voted to accept the majority "ought to pass" report, please remember to thank them for their support!  Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state legislators!

LD 1572, sponsored by Senator Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot), would prevent public housing authorities from adding provisions in rental agreements to ban the lawful ownership, use, possession, bearing or transportation of firearms by tenants.

LD 1572 was introduced after Harvey Lembo, a Maine resident who lives in an affordable housing community, filed a lawsuit against his landlord who threatened to evict him for lawfully possessing and using his firearm for self-defense purposes.  Since moving to his apartment in 2009, Lembo’s home had been burglarized five times.  On August 31, 2015, Lembo decided to purchase a firearm for protection, and less than 24 hours later, he used that firearm to defend himself during a home invasion.  Following this incident, Lembo’s landlord forced him to decide what was more important: affordable housing or his right to self-defense. 

Law-abiding gun owners should not be denied the right to Keep and Bear Arms, regardless of their economic status or street address.

Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator and state Representative and politely urge them to vote in favor of final enactment for LD 1572.  Also, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill as it progresses through the Maine Legislature.