Tomorrow, April 21, Legislative Document 1154, sponsored by state Representative Owen Casas (I-Rockport), is scheduled for a public hearing in the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. LD 1154 would enable a Maine resident’s state identification card (driver’s license or nondriver identification) to indicate whether the individual can legally possess a firearm. If the Secretary of State determines that the individual is disqualified from possessing a firearm, the Secretary shall notify the applicant of this determination. Your NRA-ILA has concerns with this bill as it could essentially create a permit-to-purchase system. Make no mistake, this bill is the first step to creating a state-issued license to possess a firearm.
When applying for a driver’s license or nondriver identification card, an individual could request that their license indicate that they are not prohibited from possessing a firearm. The individual would be required to fill out a form and undergo a background check in order to determine whether they are prohibited from owning and possessing firearms. Even though individuals who choose to have this indicated on their ID, and have undergone a background check, they would still have to pass a NICS check when purchasing a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer.
Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. This legislation is merely a solution in search of problem.
Please contact members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and urge them to oppose this unnecessary legislation. Click the “Take Action” button below to contact the committee members!
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