Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Maine: City of Portland Illegally Classifies Gun Shops as “Non-Essential”

Friday, April 17, 2020

Maine: City of Portland Illegally Classifies Gun Shops as “Non-Essential”

 

Our Second Amendment rights are being threatened. The City of Portland needs to hear from you now!

In response to COVID-19, the Portland Mayor and City Council adopted Order No. 156-19/20 on April 14th, which replaced the list of essential businesses previously authorized by the city.  The order stated that "Gun shops shall not be considered an essential business or service within the City of Portland."
 
Not only does this order directly conflict with the new list of essential businesses published on April 3rd by the Mills administration, but it blatantly conflicts with Maine’s preemption law.  State preemption prevents local governments from enacting their gun control ordinances and creating a confusing patchwork of local laws.  Law-abiding citizens should enjoy the same rights, regardless of where they reside.  Maine statutes have no exception for local government acting in an emergency – which means the City of Portland is blatantly violating the state preemption law by classifying gun shops as non-essential businesses and ordering them to close under their new order.
Please act now and call on Portland Mayor Kate Snyder and the Portland City Council to correct this egregious error and make firearm dealers essential businesses!
 
Mayor Kate Snyder; [email protected], 207-874-8941
Councilor Belinda Ray; [email protected], 207-671-4000
Councilor Spender Thibodeau, [email protected], 207-650-2147
Councilor Tae Chong, [email protected], 207-650-0126
Councilor Justin Costa; [email protected], 207-522-2004
Councilor Kimberly Cook; [email protected], 207-874-8986
Councilor Ali Pious; [email protected], 207-807-4283
Councilor Nicholas Mavadones; [email protected], 
207-774-0257
Councilor Jill Duson; [email protected], 207-878-0769
 
It is unfortunate that in these uncertain times, an elected official would limit the ability of law-abiding citizens to exercise our inherent right to self-defense. Firearm dealers are essential to exercising this right!
 
This is breaking and developing news, and as more details become available, we will update NRA members further. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org/coronavirus.

 

IN THIS ARTICLE
Maine Covid-19 Gun Shops
TRENDING NOW
Arizona: Anti-Gun Lawmakers Waste No Time Taking Aim at Second Amendment Rights

Friday, November 6, 2026

Arizona: Anti-Gun Lawmakers Waste No Time Taking Aim at Second Amendment Rights

Just hours after Election Day, anti-gun lawmakers in Arizona are already signaling plans to pursue gun control in 2027, leaving law-abiding Arizonans to face the harsh reality that a consequential legislative session lies ahead.  

The Election is Over: Now the Real Work Begins

News  

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

The Election is Over: Now the Real Work Begins

While the complete picture from the 2026 midterm elections is still emerging, the results, to say the least, were not what gun owners wanted. Anti-gun forces took control of the U.S. Senate and House of ...

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

A new Essay authored by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and University of Wyoming College of Law Professor George Mocsary has been published in the Yale Law Journal Forum.

Jive Turkeys: Everytown Gears Up to Spoil Thanksgiving with Gobbledygook

News  

Monday, November 17, 2025

Jive Turkeys: Everytown Gears Up to Spoil Thanksgiving with Gobbledygook

Thanksgiving in America isn’t just about food, family and football. According to a survey published by casino.ca (with its Great Thanksgiving Family Feud Map), the holiday typically “comes with a slice of family chaos and a touch of ...

Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

“Crime’s way down thanks to Trump — Dems will fight to send it back up,” warns an editorial in the N.Y. Post. “Law-and-order works. Immigration enforcement works. And — like it or not — Trump’s ...

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.9005C, which “enacts into law major components” of the state’s public protection and general government budget.

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

As votes are now being cast nationwide, one influential voting bloc is drawing renewed attention: America's hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen.

U.S. House Passes Repeal of Social Security Administration Gun Grab, Begins Rolling Back Obama Era Executive Gun Control

News  

Friday, February 3, 2017

U.S. House Passes Repeal of Social Security Administration Gun Grab, Begins Rolling Back Obama Era Executive Gun Control

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives issued a strong statement in support of the Second Amendment by passing H.J. Res. 40, which would repeal Barack Obama’s scandalous attempt to grab guns from thousands of vulnerable, ...

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Thursday, October 29, 2026

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday denied the parties’ joint motion for entry of judgment in the National Rifle Association’s challenge to Florida’s firearm waiting period law. The case, Dunn v. Glass, remains pending ...

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

Another election, same former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg working to shape the nation’s gun laws. For years, NRA has exposed Bloomberg’s relentless efforts to export New York style gun restrictions to the rest ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.