Today, the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a work session and voted on several pro- and anti-gun bills. The following bills will now go to the floor of the respective chambers where they will receive further consideration.
Pro-Gun:
Legislative Document 9, sponsored by state Representative Patrick Cory (R-25), would prohibit a government agency of Maine, or a political subdivision of Maine, from keeping a list or registry of privately owned firearms or a list or registry of the owners of those firearms. The majority reported “ought to pass” as amended for this bill.
Legislative Document 44, sponsored by state Senator Eric Brakey (R-20), would lower the age requirement for concealed carry from 21 years of age to 18 years of age unless otherwise prohibited, thereby making age requirements consistent throughout statute. The majority reported “ought not to pass” this bill.
Legislative Document 350, sponsored by state Representative Lance Harvell (R-113), would repeal the law that requires a firearms dealer who sells, lets or loans a firearm to make a copy of the form the dealer must keep pursuant to federal law, and to show that copy to a law enforcement officer or prosecuting attorney. The majority reported “ought to pass” with technical amendments.
Legislative Document 574, sponsored by state Senator Eric Brakey (R-20), would eliminate the “duty to inform” provision of the law which requires a person in lawful possession of a concealed firearm without a permit during the course of a detainment or routine traffic stop to inform the law enforcement officer that the person is in possession of the firearm. The majority reported “ought not to pass” this bill.
Anti-Gun:
Legislative Document 351, sponsored by state Representative John Spear (D-92), would allow municipalities to prohibit firearm owners from carrying during municipal public proceedings and in polling places. The majority reported “ought to pass” on this bill.
Legislative Document 352, sponsored by state Representative Deane Rykerson (D-1), would require a firearms dealer to sell a gun lock with every firearm the dealer sells at retail in the state of Maine. LD 352 was referred to the Committee on Taxation with recommendations to amend that a sales tax exemption for gun locks and gun safes be included.
Legislative Document 501, sponsored by state Senator David Miramant (D-12), would require a person attempting to purchase a firearm to present the seller with proof of having successfully completed military firearms training or an approved firearm safety course. The bill also provides that a person may meet this requirement by presenting proof of having satisfied the handgun safety course requirements for a permit to carry concealed handguns. The majority reported “ought not to pass” this bill.
Contact your state legislators and urge them to support the pro-gun bills listed above and oppose the anti-gun bills! Also, please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates on these bills.
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