Maine State Police issued 11,000 concealed weapon permits last year

lepage cwp — Gov. Paul LePage poses with his concealed weapons permit following the Bangor Daily News’ attempt to procure information about permit-holders via a Freedom of Access Act request. LePage and GOP lawmakers moved quickly to block BDN’s access to permit holders’ personal information.

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Police issued 11,000 concealed weapon permits in 2013, Gov. Paul R. LePage announced Friday.

“Through the use of cross training, new business practices and a great deal of teamwork, the Special Investigations Unit processed 5,000 permits since the summer,” the LePage administration wrote in a press release. “In 2013, the Special Investigations Unit alone issued more than 11,000 permits. This is an increase of 3,500 permits from the 7,500 issued in 2012.”

“I want to thank the staff at the department for improving the permitting process for Maine citizens,” said LePage. “Maine has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in the country as a state that is fiercely protective of our right to bear arms. However, we also have one of the lowest rates of gun violence. We are a safe state, and we plan to keep it that way.”

Several gun control measures were introduced to the Legislature last year, but none became law.

0 0 votes

Article Rating

6 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Jonathan McKane

12 years ago

11,000 more Maine citizens less likely to be robbed, beaten, raped, murdered.

Clifford Blastow

An armed society is a polite society. The states with the highest restrictions on gun ownership have the highest crime rates and crimes committed with guns. America needs a math lesson.