gray wolf
06-01-2015, 05:44 PM
Maine constitutional carry bill passes house.
We got it through the senate and now the house has passed it by 23 votes.
The Governor is expected to sign it.
Must be over 21 and declare to police if stopped.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine House of Representatives on Monday voted 83-62 to approve a bill lifting the state’s permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun.
The vote Monday is the culmination of a decades-long effort by gun-right advocates to remove restrictions on lawful gun owners and follows a 21-14 vote (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbangordailynews.com%2F2015%2F05 %2F28%2Fpolitics%2Fstate-house%2Fmaine-senate-oks-bill-to-allow-concealed-handguns-without-permit%2F%3Fref%3Dsearch&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFQIIm_zpnitq7RwZtvy8YladrgrQ&ref=inline) in the state Senate last week that also removed the permit requirement.
It is expected the bill, LD 652 (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flegislature.maine.gov%2FLawMake rWeb%2Fsummary.asp%3FID%3D280055116&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXg7u-RryErQ4GvG5RVaIs6suLFQ), sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, will be signed into law by Gov. Paul LePage, making the state the sixth without any permit requirements for carrying a hidden firearm.
LePage has long said he supports the right of Maine citizens to possess firearms as the state’s Constitution, even more explicitly (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsunjournal.celsiusadmin.com%2Fn ews%2Fmaine%2F2015%2F06%2F01%2Fmaine-house-approves-constitutional-carry-gun-bill%2Fpllqt.it%2FhtlJA5&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE2fvq1ciSO-BSE_kLGYlfXhfxTow) than the U.S. Constitution, protects gun ownership rights, stating, “Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”
Supporters of the bill said the measure doesn’t change who can legally own and carry a weapon but simply legalizes carrying concealed weapons.
Current state law allows handguns to be carried openly, in a holster where they are visible, but not hidden beneath clothing or in a purse. There also are several areas — including the Legislature, public schools and courtrooms — where only law enforcement officers are allowed to legally carry firearms.
Those prohibited by state and federal law from possessing a firearm would still be prohibited under the change, supporters of the bill said.
“A currently prohibited person is still a prohibited person,” said Rep. Karen Gerrish, R-Lebanon, speaking in favor of the bill. “LD 652 does not change who may legally possess a firearm. Criminals will not be allowed to carry under this law; mentally ill individuals will not be allowed to carry under this law; none of the federally prohibited people, domestic violence and drug felons, will be able to carry under
We got it through the senate and now the house has passed it by 23 votes.
The Governor is expected to sign it.
Must be over 21 and declare to police if stopped.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine House of Representatives on Monday voted 83-62 to approve a bill lifting the state’s permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun.
The vote Monday is the culmination of a decades-long effort by gun-right advocates to remove restrictions on lawful gun owners and follows a 21-14 vote (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fbangordailynews.com%2F2015%2F05 %2F28%2Fpolitics%2Fstate-house%2Fmaine-senate-oks-bill-to-allow-concealed-handguns-without-permit%2F%3Fref%3Dsearch&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFQIIm_zpnitq7RwZtvy8YladrgrQ&ref=inline) in the state Senate last week that also removed the permit requirement.
It is expected the bill, LD 652 (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flegislature.maine.gov%2FLawMake rWeb%2Fsummary.asp%3FID%3D280055116&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXg7u-RryErQ4GvG5RVaIs6suLFQ), sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, will be signed into law by Gov. Paul LePage, making the state the sixth without any permit requirements for carrying a hidden firearm.
LePage has long said he supports the right of Maine citizens to possess firearms as the state’s Constitution, even more explicitly (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fsunjournal.celsiusadmin.com%2Fn ews%2Fmaine%2F2015%2F06%2F01%2Fmaine-house-approves-constitutional-carry-gun-bill%2Fpllqt.it%2FhtlJA5&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE2fvq1ciSO-BSE_kLGYlfXhfxTow) than the U.S. Constitution, protects gun ownership rights, stating, “Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”
Supporters of the bill said the measure doesn’t change who can legally own and carry a weapon but simply legalizes carrying concealed weapons.
Current state law allows handguns to be carried openly, in a holster where they are visible, but not hidden beneath clothing or in a purse. There also are several areas — including the Legislature, public schools and courtrooms — where only law enforcement officers are allowed to legally carry firearms.
Those prohibited by state and federal law from possessing a firearm would still be prohibited under the change, supporters of the bill said.
“A currently prohibited person is still a prohibited person,” said Rep. Karen Gerrish, R-Lebanon, speaking in favor of the bill. “LD 652 does not change who may legally possess a firearm. Criminals will not be allowed to carry under this law; mentally ill individuals will not be allowed to carry under this law; none of the federally prohibited people, domestic violence and drug felons, will be able to carry under