Maine may allow guns in schools and sue gun manufacturers.
Maine Considers Bills on Concealed Weapons and Lawsuits Against Gun Industry
Two bills are up for consideration in Maine: LD 1557, which would allow concealed weapons on school property, and LD 1696, which would allow lawsuits against the gun industry from persons harmed by “abnormally dangerous” firearms.
John Merrill, president of the Pine Tree State Rifle and Pistol Association, supports one bill but not the other. He doesn’t trust the legislature to address Second Amendment issues adequately. “Most of the legislators can’t explain what an ‘assault weapon’ is,” Merrill told The Epoch Times.
Concealed Weapons on School Grounds
LD 1557 would allow holders of valid concealed weapons permits to carry firearms on school grounds. The Maine Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs will consider the bill on May 24. State Rep. Reagan Paul, a Republican, sponsored the bill.
According to the Maine Legislature website, 86 people have submitted written testimony about LD 1557. More than half are not in favor. The Maine Education Association, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maine Principals Association, and the Maine Children’s Alliance oppose the bill.
Most of the written opposition reviewed by The Epoch Times cited child safety. However, Merrill said that, based on recent events, safety would likely be enhanced by the presence of armed adults. Merrill said controls such as designating schools as gun-free zones and depending on school personnel to keep doors locked have not stopped attackers.
Referencing school shootings in Texas and Tennessee, Merrill said allowing concealed carry on school property should be only one part of an overall security plan, including hardening facilities and training school personnel. “We can train teachers,” he said. “We’ve tried everything else in schools so far, and it hasn’t worked.”
Lawsuits Against Gun Industry
The Maine Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary will consider LD 1696 on May 25. State Rep. Rebecca Millett, a Democrat, sponsored the bill to allow lawsuits against businesses in the firearms industry for damages from the “sale of abnormally dangerous firearms.”
According to the bill, firearm-related products are considered “abnormally dangerous” if they are “most suitable for assaultive purposes instead of lawful self-defense, hunting, or other legitimate sport and recreational activities.” The definition includes products designed or marketed to promote the conversion of legal products into illegal products or those marketed to minors or other individuals who cannot legally access the products.
On May 23, 11 people submitted written testimony to the committee; 10 opposed the bill.
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