Maine: Right-to-Carry Reform Narrowly Defeated in the State House

Contact your state Senator NOW in support of LD 660

Yesterday, the Maine House of Representatives narrowly defeated important permitless carry legislation, LD 660.   By a 74-73 vote, the state House accepted the Ought Not to Pass recommendation from the Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on LD 660.  However, the state Senate still has an opportunity to ensure this Right-to-Carry reform advances in the legislative process.  LD 660 could be considered in the state Senate TODAY, so please contact your state Senator NOW and urge him or her to SUPPORT LD 660 on the Senate floor.  Contact information or help identifying your state Senator can be found here.

Sponsored by state Representative Aaron Libby (R-139), this Right-to-Carry reform legislation allows a person who is a resident of Maine and is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, to carry concealed without first obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).  However, HB 660 would not eliminate the current CHP issuance system, which will still be required for those who wish to participate in reciprocal concealed carry permit agreements when traveling to other states.

In Maine, existing law allows any resident who can legally own and possess a firearm to carry it openly, either loaded or unloaded, anywhere in the state.  Since law-abiding citizens are allowed to carry a firearm openly without a permit, they should not become criminals just because they put on a jacket or place their firearm in their purse or briefcase.