Free Republic

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 Bill to ban assault weapons dead until 2007 By PAUL CARRIER, Portland Press Herald Writer Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. E-mail this story to a friend AUGUSTA — State lawmakers have refused to outlaw so-called assault weapons, but the measure's sponsor, Democratic Sen. Ethan Strimling of Portland, has vowed to rework the bill and submit it to the next Legislature if he is re-elected in 2006. The assault-weapons ban was the first of three major gun-control bills to work its way through the Legislature this session; two others are still under review. The remaining...

Saturday, May 7, 2005 AG's office may probe hate mail By PAUL CARRIER, Portland Press Herald Writer Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. E-mail this story to a friend AUGUSTA — The Attorney General's Office is deciding whether to launch a formal investigation into three pieces of hate mail sent to Sen. Ethan Strimling, D-Portland, at the State House. Chuck Dow, the spokesman for Attorney General Steven Rowe, said Friday that Rowe's office is "reviewing" the mailings, all three of which have April postmarks from Portland. The unsigned mailings contain derogatory references to Jews and chastise Strimling, whose father...