AUGUSTA, Maine – An effort to remove a requirement in Maine law that those who carry concealed handguns must first acquire a permit to do so stalled Friday when a legislative committee tabled the bill.
The bill, LD 652, offered by Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, allows people who are legally allowed to own a firearm to carry the weapon concealed on their person, if they choose to do so.
During a two-hour work session on the bill, some lawmakers on the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voiced concerns that removing the permit requirement could allow individuals wrestling with mental health or substance abuse problems to carry a hidden handgun.
Under current law, individuals seeking a concealed handgun permit are checked by the Maine State Police or another law enforcement agency that serves as a permitting authority. Those checks include a review to see if the individual seeking the permit has any known mental health problems.
The process of approving a concealed handgun permit also involves a subjective look at an individual’s moral character. Individuals who have had repeated run-ins with law enforcement usually are denied a permit.
But officials from the state police, the state’s top issuing authority, said a very small percent of those applying for permits are denied.
Speaking on behalf of the state police, Maj. Christopher Grotton said in the last four years, the agency has issued more than 36,000 concealed handgun permits while denying only 251 individuals permission to carry a concealed handgun.
Lawmakers also noted Friday that under Maine law, any person not prohibited from possessing a firearm may openly carry a handgun whether or not they have concealed weapons permit.
The committee voted 7-6 to table the bill while Brakey and other sponsors of the proposal worked on possible amendments.
The bill will be the subject of an additional work session before the committee.