Legislative Update (From GOME)
The following is a summation of the activity of the 131st Legislature (as of June 16, 2023) that has taken place in Augusta regarding a host of gun bills, both good and bad. Gun Owners of Maine would like to thank all the people who worked to defeat the gun control bills as well as those who supported the pro-gun bills.
The most egregious of the gun control bills have been defeated. These were LD 60, LD 168, LD 1340, and LD 1696. Although killed in this session, LD 168 was carried over to the next session and may still pose a threat.
The only pro-gun bill to still be active is LD 1103 which would restore the right to keep and bear arms to the legal users of cannabis under state law. The federal prohibition would still be in place.
LD 22 An Act to Impede the Transfer of Firearms to Prohibited Persons
Status= Active Passed both House and Senate, amended by the Senate to exclude antique and muzzle loader firearms and sent back to the House for concurrence. The amendment also clarifies that the seller has to know or has reason to believe that the buyer is a prohibited person for the law to apply. In addition, the penalty is changed to a civil violation for the first offense.
LD 52 (HP 27) An Act to Allow Certain School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property
Status= Dead. Failed both in the House and Senate.
LD 60 An Act to Require a 72-hour Waiting Period After the Sale of a Firearm
Status= Dead. Passed the House but failed in the Senate.
LD 168 An Act Regarding Criminal Background Checks for the Sale, Transfer or Exchange of Firearms
Status= Dead But this bill was carried over to the next session.
LD 271 An Act Requiring the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to Offer a For-credit Course on Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting and Trapping
Status= Dead. No action was taken by the committee and the LD was placed in Legislative Files.
LD 551 An Act to Strengthen Maine Citizens' Second Amendment Rights by Allowing the Discharge of Firearms on Private Property That Is Within 500 Feet of School Property in Certain Circumstances
Status=Dead Passed the Senate as amended but failed to pass in the House.
LD 582 An Act to Enhance Certain Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons
Status=Active Passed in the Senate as amended and has yet to be acted on by the House.
LD 624 An Act to Prohibit Government Officials from Maintaining Records Related to Firearms Owners
Status=Dead Passed by the Senate but failed in the House.
LD 629 An Act To Improve, Protect And Defend The Individual Civil Right To Bear Arms Through Exemption Of Firearms And Ammunition From Taxation
Status=Inactive No action taken in committee.
LD 674 Bail Commissioners to Carry Firearms in Correctional Facilities and Jails
Status=Dead Passed by the House, failed in the Senate.
LD 943 An Act to Enhance Privacy and Prohibit Shipping Companies from Maintaining Records of Firearm and Ammunition Shipments
Status=Dead Failed in both the House and the Senate.
LD 1000 Resolve, to Convene a Firearm Range Safety Working Group
Within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Status=Dead Failed in both the House and the Senate.
LD 1011 An Act Requiring the Reporting of Stolen Firearms
Status=Active Failed in the House with no action yet taken by the Senate.
LD 1103 An Act to Allow Persons Who Lawfully Use or Possess Cannabis to Own or Possess Firearms or Ammunition
Status=Active Passed by the House as amended and no action yet taken by the Senate.
LD 1072 An Act Regarding the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Status=Passed The part of this bill which would have prohibited the carrying of firearms in DMV offices was removed by an amendment. The bill was then passed by both houses and is awaiting signing by the Governor. GOME no longer considers this bill to be a concern for gun owners.
LD 1340 An Act to Prohibit the Sale or Possession of Rapid-fire Modification Devices
Status=Dead The bill passed in the House but then failed in the Senate.
LD 1451 An Act to Prohibit State and Local Enforcement of Federal
Firearms Laws
Status=Inactive No action was taken on this bill in committee.
LD 1561 An Act to Restore Firearm Rights and Hunting Privileges to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes
Status=Inactive No action was taken on this bill in committee.
LD 1696 An Act to Create a Civil Cause of Action for Persons Suffering
Damages Arising from the Sale of Abnormally Dangerous Firearms
Status=Inactive No action was taken on this bill in committee.
