Maine governor signs concealed-carry measure
[Maine governor
signs concealed-carry measure by Glenn Adams Augusta, Maine AP] "Acting with
unusual bipartisan dispatch, the Legislature approved an emergency measure
Tuesday to temporarily keep confidential the names of Maine residents who have
permits to carry concealed guns. Gov. Paul LePage applauded lawmakers for their
quick action and immediately signed the bill.
The measure was aimed at preventing publications from releasing personal
information about gun owners, who comprise a major constituency for Democrats as
well as Republicans in a rural state where hunting is common.
"In all my time serving in the Legislature, I cannot recall an issue that has
generated such a passionate response from my constituents," Senate Republican
Leader Michael Thibodeau of Winterport said after the vote.
The bill was prompted by a newspaper's decision just a few days earlier to ask
police departments across the state, through Maine's Freedom of Access law, to
provide names, addresses and ages of all of the state's concealed-weapon permit
holders. The Bangor Daily News had submitted its requests knowing that a pending
bill in the Legislature would forbid such disclosures.
Facing a public furor over its requests, the newspaper quickly withdrew them and
said it never planned to publish anyone's name. To make sure personal data would
be protected, GOP Gov. Paul LePage - himself a concealed-weapon permit holder -
submitted emergency legislation on Friday that in effect places a moratorium
until April 30 on releases of concealed weapons data.
"Today's vote gives lawmakers breathing room to have a deliberate and thorough
conversation about privacy and firearms without the pressure of a media and
political storm," Assistant House Leader Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said Tuesday.
McCabe co-sponsored the measure with Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy
Jackson, D-Allagash..." Full text:
Maine governor signs concealed-carry measure
Good job Maine.
Lk 22:36
Recommended Reading:
More Guns Less Crime
by John R. Lott Jr.
