Political News from Genie Jennings: June 2011, Special Political edition Newsletter

This is a lengthy synopsis of the gun bills that have just gone through the Maine State Legislature.  I have links to the actual bills for folks who like to read that kind of stuff (like me). We didn't get everything, but we got a lot, and we stopped some bad ones. No thanks to Representative Bobbi Beavers, for those of you who live in South Berwick. Representative Rich Cebra has been a dynamo on the Second Amendment, and deserves thanks from all gun owners.

For those who bristle at giving more rights to Law Enforcement Officers, remember we did not lose rights in one fell swoop, nor will we regain them all at once. We have a legislature that is working for our freedoms.

From Richard M. Cebra (copied without permission): "OK, so here's the box score on the Second Amendment in the 125th Legislature... we passed and are being signed by the Governor, LD 35 CCW in cars, LD 446 CCW reciprocity for all out of state LEO's now in State Statute and LD 1347 CCW in State parks and state property not courthouses and schools. All 3 are my bills. LD 578 the anti preemption bill I moved the indefinite postponement and it's DEAD!"

LD 35: This bill provides that an employer may not prohibit an employee with a valid concealed firearms permit from keeping a firearm in the employee's vehicle as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280038924 (LD 35)

LD 446: Law Enforcement Officers from Out of State may carry concealed.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280039575  (LD 446)

LD 1347: An Act Relating to Locations where Concealed Weapons May Be Carried
This bill eliminates the prohibition on certain persons possessing firearms in certain locations, including state parks and historic sites, premises licensed for the consumption of alcohol, state property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety and the Legislative Council and locations of labor disputes. Specifically, notwithstanding any statutory provisions or rules prohibiting the possession of a firearm, the bill permits the following persons to possess firearms:

1. A person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm has been issued under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25, chapter 252. The person must have in that person's possession the valid permit;
2. A person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm has been issued by another state if a permit to carry a concealed firearm issued from that state has been granted reciprocity under Title 25, chapter 252. The person must have in that person's possession the valid permit;
3. An authorized federal, state or local law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's official duties;
4. A qualified law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926B. The law enforcement officer must have in the law enforcement officer's possession photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency by which the person is employed as a law enforcement officer;
5. A qualified retired law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926C. The retired law enforcement officer must have in the retired law enforcement officer's possession: A. Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or B. Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer and a certification issued by the state in which the person resides that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by that state to meet the standards established by that state for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm;
6. A private investigator licensed under Title 32, chapter 89 who is actually performing as a private investigator; and
7. A security guard to the extent that federal laws or rules required the security guard to be armed with a dangerous weapon at a labor dispute site or a security guard who is employed by an employer involved in a labor dispute, strike or lockout at the location where applications for employment with the employer will be accepted, interviews of those applicants conducted or medical examinations of those applicants performed.
   This bill does not eliminate or amend provisions governing the possession of firearms in or on school.
   http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280040971 (LD 1347)

LD 578: "An Act To Allow Municipalities To Restrict the Possession of Firearms in Certain Circumstances"
Sponsored by Senator Roger Katz
Indefinitely Postponed.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280039760 (LD 578)