Maine: Firearms Bill Hearing Day Next Week Before Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Next Wednesday, April 8, at 1:00 p.m., the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety will hold a public hearing in State House Room 426 on the following pro- and anti-gun bills.  It is critical that you contact members of the Committee immediately and urge them to vote in accordance to NRA’s recommendations below:

• OPPOSE Legislative Document 415: Sponsored by Representative Mark Dion (D-Portland), LD 415, "An Act To Promote the Safe Use and Sale of Firearms,” would discourage the private sale of firearms by creating a civil offense for private transfers/sales that have not gone through a federally licensed firearms dealer if the transferee is a prohibited person for the first offense and a Class E crime for any subsequent offenses. Currently, it is illegal under Maine and federal law to knowingly sell a firearm to a person who is a prohibited person.  Likewise, it is a felony under Maine and federal law for a prohibited person to buy, own or possess a firearm.  However, this legislation seeks to make drastic and unnecessary changes to current firearms laws that will unduly place law-abiding citizens at risk by creating a system of fines, and in some cases criminal liability, for the private sale of firearms.  

• SUPPORT Legislative Document 548: Sponsored by Representative Karleton Ward (R-Dedham), LD 548,"An Act To Provide a Concealed Handgun Permit for Active Military Members," would allow military members to be eligible for a Concealed Handgun Permit if they are not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

• SUPPORT Legislative Document 652: Sponsored by Senator Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin), LD 652, "An Act To Authorize the Carrying of Concealed Handguns without a Permit," is a critical piece of constitutional carry legislation that would recognize the right of anyone not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, as reported here.  This bill also allows for loaded firearms to be transported in a motor vehicle.

• SUPPORT Legislative Document 823: Sponsored by Representative Michael Shaw (D-Standish), LD 823,"An Act To Upgrade the Concealed Handgun Permit Law," would make the Chief of the State Police the only authority for issuing a permit to carry concealed handguns, extend the duration of the permit from 4 years to 10 and eliminate the requirement that a handgun safety course have been taken by the applicant within 5 years prior to the date of application.

• SUPPORT Legislative Document 868: Sponsored by Senator Paul Davis (R-Piscataquis), LD 868, "An Act To Remove Limitations on Reciprocity for Concealed Handguns Permits," would change Maine law to grant reciprocity to concealed handgun permits issued to a person by that person’s state of residence as long as that state of residence honors a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued by the State of Maine.

Please use the contact information provided below to call and email members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee TODAY and urge them to vote in SUPPORT of Legislative Documents 548, 652, 823 and 868 and to vote AGAINST Legislative Document 415.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee:

Senator Kimberley Rosen (R-8), Chair
Phone: 207-469-3779
Email: Kimberley.Rosen@legislature.maine.gov 

Senator David Burns (R-6)
Phone: 207-733-8856
Email: David.Burns@legislature.maine.gov

Senator Stanley Gerzofsky (D-24)
Phone: 207-373-1328
Email: Stanley.Gerzofsky@legislature.maine.gov         

Representative Lori Fowle, Chair (D-80)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Lori.Fowle@legislature.maine.gov         

Representative Justin Chenette (D-15)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Justin.Chenette@legislature.maine.gov  

Representative James Davitt (D-101)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Jim.Davitt@legislature.maine.gov     

Representative Karen Gerrish (R-20)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Karen.Gerrish@legislature.maine.gov     

Representative Michel Lajoie (D-58)
Phone: 207-783-1927
Email: Michel.Lajoie@legislature.maine.gov       

Representative Ricky Long (R-145)
Phone: 207-365-4704
Email: Ricky.Long@legislature.maine.gov       

Representative Catherine Nadeau (D-78)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Catherine.Nadeau@legislature.maine.gov          

Representative Timothy Theriault (R-79)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Tim.Theriault@legislature.maine.gov       

Representative Michael Timmons (R-45)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Michael.Timmons@legislature.maine.gov             

Representative Charlotte Warren (D-84)
Phone: (207) 287-1430
Email: Charlotte.Warren@legislature.maine.gov