Last Monday, the Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee had a public hearing on two firearm-related bills of interest to Maine gun owners. This Monday, February 6, these bills will come back before the committee for a work session.
Legislative Document 1603, introduced by state Representative Dale Crafts (R-104), would prohibit the state from banning a state employee, who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm, from keeping a firearm in his or her vehicle on state property as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible.
Legislative Document 1728, introduced by state Representative Gary Plummer (R- 11), would prohibit Maine’s concealed carry issuing authorities from approving a Maine non-resident permit if the non-resident applicant is from a state whose laws on such permits are substantially equivalent to or less restrictive than Maine law. This bill would also prohibit the issuing of a Maine non-resident carry permit if the non-resident applicant has already been denied a concealed carry permit in his or her current state of residency.
The NRA will keep you updated on the status of these bills as they move through the legislature.