What a hokey, made-up story for the Baldacci Daily News. Gun crimes are rare in Maine, as are violent crimes.

How about an objective in-depth investigative report on state government?

I have to agree with you, 'beelzebubba'. Maine for the most part is not Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston or other high-crime cities and states like these cities are in. Really, there are not much in the form of "bringers" to crime-related issues in Maine. Gangs, heavy illegal drug sales/use, automobile theft, muggings, assaults, drive-by shootings, heavy transient traffic, criminal environments and other forms of reasons for people to carry loaded weapons around, are really non-existent in Maine; although Maine does have elements of these issues but are grossly controlled.

Maine residents are reasonable and mature with firearms, I would think. The psyche of Maine residents generally for the most part, could even reach a percentage of 98%, use guns, buy guns and store guns as a matter of hunting. Protection purchasing of guns, if I had a guess to make, make up about 20% of overall sales. To be honest, I did not read the gun articles except one I commented on...and the reason for that was because the guy with the black cowboy hat and the western shirt and vest turned me off from commenting. He probably thinks he is back in his Red Ryder and Roy Rogers and Gene Autry days...and is still reliving his dream; now with real guns instead of cap pistols.

Could it be that stabbings and knife-assaults account for more crimes in Maine than guns? Please show the demographics, BDN...other than to half-report the stories! We always hear so much reported about a woman justifiably killing her abusive husband and all...even the Hitler-SS-type we saw with the guy wearing a fedora and leather overcoat. Get over with the gun issues here and if you initiate reports, show the complete story with weapon use in Maine.

Interesting that there are three different articles in todays paper regarding guns....

"...concluded that Maine had the lowest rate of firearm use in violent crimes in the country."

"...ranks Maine the safest state when it comes to violent crime."

Yet we have Democrats from Augusta, in Augusta, and in Mass trying to create a problem. Never mind the $400 million the State is in the hole, Maine has the LOWEST rate of firearm use in violent crimes and the LOWEST rate of violent crimes and that's apparently a big problem for certain individuals. Funny thing is that the Brady Campaign recently gave Maine (only) a 12 out of 100. I'm wondering how much safer we would be if we scored even less. This article, coupled with the one regarding the Brady Campaign, should tell you that the Brady Campaign has NOTHING to do with crime or safety and EVERYTHING to do with oppressive usurptions of freedoms.

Think about it, would you rather rob someone in an area with very strict gun control laws that is also lenient on criminals when they are caught OR would you rather try and rob someone in an area who is likely armed who is also protected with self-defense laws such as the castle doctrine.