Maine: Legislature Adjourns from a Successful 2015 Legislative Session

The Maine Legislature officially adjourned on Thursday, July 16^th.  The 2015 Legislative Session saw a number of victories for gun owners as several NRA-backed bills have become law in Maine:

Legislative Document 652 allows for a law-abiding citizen to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), prohibits a person under 21 years of age to carry a concealed weapon without a permit unless the individual is active military between 18-21 years old and requires an individual carrying a concealed handgun who is stopped by law enforcement officers to immediately inform the officer of that concealed handgun.  LD 652 was signed into law on July 8.

Legislative Document 942 legalizes ownership and possession of firearm sound suppressors and requires that a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) sign an application for the transfer of any item regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) within 15 days, so long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving it.  LD 942 became law on June 25 without the governor's signature.

Legislative Document 868 changes Maine law to grant reciprocity to concealed handgun permits issued to a person by that person's state of residence as long as that state of residence honors a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued by the State of Maine.  LD 868 was signed into law on June 5. 

Legislative Document 156 lowers the age for a junior hunting license from ten to eight years old.  LD 156 was signed into law on June 2. 

Legislative Document 176, “An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Gathering of Signatures for Direct Initiatives and People's Veto Referenda,” prevents non-Maine residents from collecting signatures or handling petitions in any manner.  LD 176 became law on May 24 without the governor's signature.

All non-emergency legislation enacted this session will take effect on October 15, 2015.

The below anti-gun measure was also effectively defeated by the Maine Legislature:

Legislative Document 801 would have made it illegal to hunt bear with the use of dogs.

Thank you to NRA members and Second Amendment supporters in Maine who contacted their lawmakers to voice their strong opinions on these important issues.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to fight for your Second Amendment rights in the state of Maine.