Proposals to Loosen Maine's Gun Laws Draw Opposition

mpbn.net ^ | 12 April, 2011 | NA

[marktwain]

The measures, which would make it easier for Mainers to get concealed weapons permits, were opposed by some businesses, law enforcement and gun-control advocates.

A series of proposals aimed at making it easier for Mainers to get concealed weapons permits came under fire yesterday at a legislative hearing. Some proposals would repeal long-held prohibitions, and that's something Bill Harwood of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence isn't happy about.

"What we're talking about in this bill is bringing guns into areas of the state where, for decades, they have been prohibited, for many good reasons--first of all, bars: Alcohol and guns don't mix very well, that has been known for generations in this country," Harwood said. "I don't understand why we should start allowing guns at bars."

But Rep. Dale Crafts, a Lisbon Republican, defended the proposals. "A society that has a respect for guns and a reverence for the Second Amendment is a safer society," he contended. "This bill will remove restrictions from our current concealed carry system, and allow all law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons without a lengthy and expensive process."

[marktwain]

No facts or logic on the other side. They simply hate to see the power of the state diminished.

[backwoods-engineer]

Yep, they just can't stand to see freedom expanded and the state diminished.

Some proposals would repeal long-held prohibitions

But the 2nd Amendment has been in force long before most of the prohibitions, I'd wager.

[School of Rational Thought]

No facts or logic on the other side. They simply hate to see the power of the state diminished.

Something else to consider is that Maine is a sanctuary state. Once quaint little towns are now teeming with illegal aliens. Even some Democrats realize that to easily arm these people who already have an illegal disposition could mean trouble.

[556x45]

‘...without a lengthy and expensive process.’

LOL, now thats just rich!! The majority of states can finish a background check VERY quickly, as in a few seconds. The reason ‘background’ checks take so long is b/c state employees drag their feet eg more time != greater thoroughness. Permits are all about control not about stopping crime.

[Kenny Bunk]

Many of the illegal aliens in Maine are probably already armed. One might be wise to assume that those involved in the huge drug operations are.

Thanks to the Baldacci régime, Maine is literally crawling with illegal aliens, and "refugees."

[Madame Dufarge]

Something else to consider is that Maine is a sanctuary state.

The new Republican governor fixed that:

"In one of his first acts in office, Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday issued an executive order rescinding Maine's status as a so-called sanctuary state and repealed a previous order by Gov. John Baldacci that prohibited Maine state workers from inquiring about immigration status."

LePage Scraps Maine's Status as Sanctuary State