Proposals to Loosen Maine's Gun Laws Draw Opposition

[jpak]

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/15965/Default.aspx

A series of proposals aimed at making it easier for Mainers to get concealed weapons permits came under fire yesterday at a legislative hearing. Some proposals would repeal long-held prohibitions, and that's something Bill Harwood of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence isn't happy about.

"What we're talking about in this bill is bringing guns into areas of the state where, for decades, they have been prohibited, for many good reasons--first of all, bars: Alcohol and guns don't mix very well, that has been known for generations in this country," Harwood said. "I don't understand why we should start allowing guns at bars."

But Rep. Dale Crafts, a Lisbon Republican (edit: moran), defended the proposals. "A society that has a respect for guns and a reverence for the Second Amendment is a safer society," he contended. "This bill will remove restrictions from our current concealed carry system, and allow all law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons without a lengthy and expensive process."

Some businesses also expressed opposition to one measure that would retrict employers from barring concealed weapons in the workplace, according to Capitol News Service. Law enforcement officials also testified against the pro-gun bills.

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GOP/NRA over-reach

yup

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. There's nothing wrong wth guns and bars.

Guns and alcohol... yes. But as far as carrying the gun in a restaraunt or bar... no, there's no big danger in that.
Then again, it would still be illegal to get drunk or drink and carry your firearm, regardless of location. So I guess guns in bars not a problem because lawfully armed patrons would not be drinking.

[damntexdem]

4. But officer, I'm only here for a Perrier.

Such a relief!

;-)

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

5. Lots of restaraunts serve alchohol.

I'll bet 4 out of 5 sit-down restaraunts serve alcohol around here.
Even many "bars" have TV, entertainment, food, and other reason why one would visit.

To base law on the reasoning that the only reason one goes to an establishment with a liquor license is to drink alcohol is false. There's plenty of people at bars and restaraunts who aren't drinking. That's exactly like trying to ban bars & restaraunts from maintaining parking lots for customers... because obviously cars and booze don't mix. :eyes:

It makes much more sense to make drinking while carrying illegal - which it already is.
That one law covers any instance mixing "alcohol & guns" regardless of other laws.
It's all that is needed to give cops a tool for arresting drunks with guns.

[ManiacJoe]

2. Is there a better source available?

Something with details?

[damntexdem]

3. And the Texas guns-on-campus idiocy may have been derailed.

Two dems were needed to get to the required votes to debate the bill, and they have reneged -- suggested instead ALLOWING public universities to decide whether or not to allow guns on campus. And that is ALREADY state law. None of the universities do.