Maine: Committee to Vote on Gun Bills

On May 6^th and 7^th, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is expected to vote on numerous pro- and anti-gun bills.  Please contact committee members and urge them to SUPPORT LD’s 884, 1052, 1179, 1286, and 1315, and to OPPOSE LD’s 759, 976, 999, and 1454!

Pro-Gun Legislation:

Legislative Document 884 prohibits the Department of Public Safety from retaining any information or data concerning firearm purchases within the activities performed by the Department’s information analysis center. 

Legislative Documents 1052 and Legislative Document 1315 prohibit state and government officials from restricting the lawful carrying, sale, or use of firearms and ammunition during states of emergency, and also prevents them from closing gun stores and shooting ranges. The legislation also suspends the expiration date for concealed handgun permits during a state of emergency.

Legislative Document 1179 requires a majority vote of each Chamber of the Maine Legislature and approval by the Governor for any use of a law enforcement officer or agency in a federal firearm confiscation or buy-back program.

Legislative Document 1286 directs the Department of Public Safety to apply to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for an exemption from background checks under the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) for individuals who possess a valid concealed weapons permit.

Anti-Gun Legislation:

Legislative Document 759 places unnecessary risk and burden on law-abiding gun owners in their own homes.  The measure unnecessarily amends the statute governing reckless endangerment of a child, when current law already regulates access to firearms by minors, and the corresponding responsibilities of adults.

Legislative Document 976 amends the definition of “machine gun” to include a weapon to which a bump stock is affixed, and penalizes possession of a machine gun as a Class D crime.

Legislative Document 999 requires background checks for private sales of firearms at gun shows, or resulting from advertising, including sales to immediate and extended family, friends, and neighbors, with limited exceptions.

Legislative Document 1454 essentially ends the centuries-old practice of home manufacturing firearms for personal use.

Again, please act now! Ask members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee to SUPPORT LD’s 884, 1052, 1179, 1286, and 1315 and to OPPOSE LD’s 759, 976, 999 and 1454.