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
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 ...

The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

News  

Monday, October 12, 2026

The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

As we announced separately this week, ATF has determined that it will use its executive discretion to uniformly suspend enforcement of large portions of the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

Friday, October 23, 2026

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the federal Switchblade Act’s restrictions on the interstate commerce of switchblade knives violate the Second Amendment.

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 ...

San Francisco Law Professor Purports to Channel Scalia on AR-15s; Ignores Scalia

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

San Francisco Law Professor Purports to Channel Scalia on AR-15s; Ignores Scalia

Some arguments succeed by being true. Some attempt to succeed by confusing the debate and substituting misdirection for clarity. And some attempt to succeed merely by dogged persistence, refusing to die or go away, no ...

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 ...

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

It’s well established that certain offenders remain disproportionately responsible for violent crime. A 2001 report on such “chronic offenders” in Minnesota concluded that over a four-year period, just five percent of offenders were responsible for ...

New York:  Gov. Hochul Signs More Gun Control This Week

Thursday, October 22, 2026

New York: Gov. Hochul Signs More Gun Control This Week

Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the scariest thing in Albany for law-abiding gun owners.  On Wednesday, October 21 the anti-gun governor of the Empire State signed a pair of gun bills into law.  We've knocked on ...

“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that” – ChatGPT is Now “Completely Anti-gun”

News  

Monday, October 19, 2026

“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that” – ChatGPT is Now “Completely Anti-gun”

More than half a century ago, Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, introduced the world to HAL-9000, a sentient “supercomputer” with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) processing. When HAL, responsible for running the spacecraft, decides ...

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Friday, October 30, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Today, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and an individual, Daniel Maines, filed a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s carry restrictions for adults under 21.

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.