A state lawmaker from Guilford unveiled a proposal on Friday to protect the rights of Mainers to bear arms in self defense by allowing property owners to be liable for violence that occurs in so-called “gun free zones.”
“An Act Relating to Firearms Exclusions in Certain Locations would hold property owners liable if people are harmed at a location that doesn’t allow them to carry firearms for their own protection,” said Rep. James White (R-Guilford).
The potential liability would discourage property owners from forbidding people from carrying firearms, or other self-defense articles such as pepper spray, onto their premises.
“I have heard from young females, working as nurses or wait staff, who get put in a position of leaving their place of employment that forbids them from bringing self-defense articles such as a firearm or even pepper spray onto the premises,” said Rep. White.
In recent years, “gun free zones” have popped up all over the U.S., including in Maine. The creation of the zone amounts to little more than a sign hung near the entrance informing customers or visitors that guns are not allowed on the premises.
White believes that his bill is essential to help Mainers protect themselves in a time of increasing crime.
White, who is serving his first term in the Maine legislature, is a career gunsmith, and a strong advocate for 2nd Amendment Rights.
His proposal comes after U.S. Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucus exclusively with Democrats, announced earlier this week that he was introducing federal legislation aimed at drastically curtailing gun-rights on a national level, including a firearm buyback program similar to that of Australia.
Following the October 25th mass shooting in Lewiston, firearm rights and gun-control have become a highly contentious political issue in a state where nearly 50 percent of households own at least one firearm.
Maine GOP Chairman Joel Stetkis spoke out against Sen. King’s proposal, which would limit magazine capacities to just 10 rounds.
“This bill will not pass for two reasons: Because Angus King is a terrible legislator with no accomplishments, and because attacking the rights of Mainers who want to defend themselves has always been a bad idea,” Stetkis said.
U.S Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who previously went against his party by opposing a ban on assault weapons, has changed his position following the Lewiston shooting, and now supports a ban.
Rep. Golden has been heavily criticized for this by the Republicans seeking to unseat him in the house.
State Rep. Austin Theriault (R-Fort Kent) suggested that Golden’s change of position was meant to take advantage of the Lewiston tragedy for political gain.
Rep. Theriault accused Golden of trying to “score political points by attacking the 2nd Amendment”
Golden’s other competitor, State Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) also criticized him.
“Shame on Congressman Golden for using this tragedy to advance a liberal political agenda,” Rep. Soboleski said. “The actions of one deranged individual does not define who we are as Mainers.”
This is a common sense gun law but should not be necessary. The second amendment states that the government has to protect everyone’s right to bear arms. The government has no power to grant any rights when it comes to guns, rather the opposite. Gvt is mandated to protect gun rights. That means that if someone carries in a “no gun zone” then they can’t be prosecuted, period. Authorities actually have an obligation to ensure that anyone declaring a “no gun zone” cease and desist that policy, even government municipalities. unfortunately now, there has to be additional laws passed to ensure that the 2nd amendment is guaranteed.
All Trump rallies are “Gun Free Zones”. Put up or shut up and make packing legal at all Trump rallies.
…unless you’re going through TSA like checkpoints; ie, govt buildings, airports, conceal carry wherever you want in Maine. At least the lead will be flying both ways. Why do we have to keep amplifying the ‘shall not be infringed’ phrase of the second amendment with new laws?
There should not be any gun free zones, decades of crime statistics clearly show that gun free zones attract mass shooters because they believe that no one will be shooting back at them. A gun free zone is impossible to enforce without a huge police presence and screening everyone going into the zone. The Colorado theater shooter intentionally drove past several theaters that weren’t gun free zones to slaughter at a theater that was a gun free zone.
Maybe it shouldn’t be necessary, as previous posts have suggested, but it is common sense. If a business has unsafe conditions, and someone is injured or killed as a result, they are sued for liable. This is the same principle. If a business prohibits the carry of firearms for personal protection, and someone is killed because they couldn’t defend themselves, e.g. Lewiston, they should face liability. Good for Rep. White.
96% of mass shootings occur in “GUN FREE ZONES”. Maine has more than enough gun laws already in the books. If they only started enforcing the current laws, like the Yellow Flag law, the Lewiston mass shooting wouldn’t have happened.
So when illegals living in Maine commit crimes, we should be able to sue our state reps and governor for not doing their jobs. Hold them responsible for the crimes of both legal and illegals living here in Maine.
Seems fair to me. Democrats seem to feel they are above the Constitution, not upholding their oathes of office should now be taken seriously. It’s how holding them accountable begins.