After bills passed earlier in the year in Kansas and Mississippi, Maine seems set to follow suit. It will bring the total number of states that allow carrying handguns without a permit to 10. Republican Gov. Paul LePage is set to sign the bill. A copy of the bill is available here. From the Bangor (Maine) Daily News:
Maine’s policing community was split on the issue with Maine State Police supporting the change and the Maine Chiefs of Police opposing it. . . .
State Sen. David Burns, R-Whiting, a former state police trooper and detective, stood with the Maine State Police and other rank-and-file law officers from Maine who told him the proposal was a reasonable change to state law.
“I have great confidence in our citizens to properly and appropriately use those weapons,” Burns said.
Only two Republican senators opposed the measure — state Sens. Amy Volk of Scarborough and David Woodsome of Waterboro. But Brakey also gained the support of three Senate Democrats including David Dutremble of Biddeford, James Dill of Old Town and Bill Diamond of Windham. . . .
This would reduce the fee to carry in Maine from $35 to zero. The training requirement would also be eliminated. People could still get permits to obtain reciprocity with other states.
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