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
Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Today, April 23rd, Governor Spanberger Signed HB1525 and SB727/HB1524 into law. 

ATF Announces New Director, Historic Regulatory Overhaul

News  

Thursday, April 30, 2026

ATF Announces New Director, Historic Regulatory Overhaul

April 29 was a big day for Second Amendment supporters in Washington, D.C., as ATF announced the confirmation of a new director, Robert Cekada, and rolled out perhaps the biggest one-day regulatory overhaul in the agency’s ...

Self-Defense: Another “Luxury” the Poor Can Do Without

News  

Monday, May 4, 2026

Self-Defense: Another “Luxury” the Poor Can Do Without

Many years ago, Otis McDonald, a 76-year old retiree living in a high-crime area of Chicago testified that he had “been robbed numerous times in his Morgan Park home; [he’d] witnessed too many crimes to count and ...

More Guns, Less Homicide: Good News for America, Bad News for Gun Prohibitionists

News  

Monday, May 4, 2026

More Guns, Less Homicide: Good News for America, Bad News for Gun Prohibitionists

Homicide rates in the United States, including those where firearms are used, have been declining over the last few years.  According to multiple reports on early projections, 2025 is expected to see the largest decline in ...

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

Monday, May 4, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

The National Rifle Association joined the Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in ...

Connecticut Senate Rams Through Unconstitutional Pistol Ban in Dead of Night

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Connecticut Senate Rams Through Unconstitutional Pistol Ban in Dead of Night

Last night, in the early morning hours of May 6th, progressives in the Connecticut Senate passed H5043, the Governor's bill banning future manufacture, sale, and importation of many commonly owned handguns in Connecticut.

Hawaii: Legislature Adjourns Sine Die, Marking Defeat of Several Anti-Gun Bills

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Hawaii: Legislature Adjourns Sine Die, Marking Defeat of Several Anti-Gun Bills

On Friday, May 8th, the Hawaii State Legislature adjourned sine die from the 2026 legislative session.

Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

A recent case involving an Oregon man who was the subject of two “red flag” gun confiscation orders illustrates one of the many problems with the foolish policy.

Illinois: Threats Remain as Spring Session Winds Down

Friday, May 8, 2026

Illinois: Threats Remain as Spring Session Winds Down

As the Illinois General Assembly enters the final weeks of the Spring legislative session, law-abiding gun owners must remain vigilant.

Anti-gun Officials Target Glock, While Failing to Hold Criminals to Account

News  

Monday, May 4, 2026

Anti-gun Officials Target Glock, While Failing to Hold Criminals to Account

In 2024, the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock – the maker of some of the world’s most popular pistols for civilian and law enforcement use (including at one point the Chicago ...

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.