Portland-based progressive politicians just cannot help themselves. In the wake of being
handed a historic loss with the hold on Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law in federal court, one would expect these vehement opponents of the Second Amendment to quell their efforts, but instead, they have launched a full-scale attack on firearm rights.
Earlier this year, Justice Lance Walker of the First District Court placed a hold on
Maine’s extreme waiting period law under the precedent set by New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. This decision defines a clear framework for firearms policy, largely focused on whether the firearm law in question has any historical basis. Based on this landmark precedent, Maine’s waiting period law has been temporarily blocked, because, as Justice Walker wrote, “acquiring a firearm is a necessary step in the exercise of keeping and bearing arms. Any interpretation to the contrary requires the type of interpretative jiujitsu that would make (Franz) Kafka blush.”
One would expect that these ardent anti-gun groups would reconsider their incessant push for gun control until the federal courts clarified a framework for future legislation. However, these groups and their political allies have doubled down, using a scattershot approach to attack nearly every aspect of firearm ownership. These extreme, and often outrageous, proposals have no place in Maine, yet these Portland-based politicians continue to fight to implement Massachusetts-style gun control in the Pine Tree State. These bills, which include redefining semi-automatic firearms as “machine guns,” banning firearms at polling places, requiring costly serialization on nearly all firearm parts, criminalizing the victims of firearm theft, and banning lead ammunition, are all just the latest in the overarching harebrained scheme to deteriorate the Second Amendment rights of Mainers.
Luckily for gun owners, members of both sides of the aisle have formed a common-sense
coalition fighting to protect your rights. It should come as no surprise that members from both parties are pushing back against these extreme and unconstitutional measures. The progressive political epicenter of power has dictated policy in Augusta for far too long, undermining the rights of those they represent and leaving a trail of costly legal challenges in their path. These court cases, funded by Maine tax dollars, have made it clear that these proposals likely will not survive constitutional scrutiny. Instead of respecting these decisions, these lawmakers continue their assault on your freedoms, forcing gun owners into costly lawfare just to protect their rights.
This bipartisan coalition has already dealt a major blow to the gun control agenda, issuing
“ought not to pass” reports for many bills in their respective committees. While these reports create momentum for pro-gun allies, the fate of these bills will be decided on the floor of the House and Senate in the coming days and weeks. Given the tight majority in Augusta, a handful of rural lawmakers hold the key to protecting the most basic rights of their constituents.
As the legislative session nears its end, gun owners should understand that this extreme
slate of gun control can be voted on at any moment. There is no time to wait, you must act now to protect your rights. Call your lawmakers, activate your local clubs, and show up to the State House to lobby lawmakers alongside the NRA, Gun Owners of Maine, and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. Together, we will win this fight.
(Supporters of Gun Rights can contact their local lawmakers HERE)
Justin Davis is the Maine State Director of the National Rifle Association (NRA)
