Senator Eric Brakey Submits Constitutional Carry Bill; Has Nearly 100 Co-Sponsors
Augusta – Senator Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) today submitted his legislationkn own as LD 652, to allow Mainers to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, if they are already legally eligible to own a handgun. The legislation, commonly known as “Constitutional Carry” or “Vermont Carry,” has garnered wide bipartisan support from both legislative chambers.
A total of 96 legislators---representing well over 50% of all Maine’s law makers, including a majority of members in the Democrat-controlled House---signed on as bill sponsors. Members of both Republican and Democrat legislative leadership have signed on to support the legislation.
“I am glad to have strong bipartisan support from both chambers for this bill,” said Senator Brakey. “This is a moderate proposal. It allows law-abiding citizens, who are already legally eligible to carry a visible handgun, to also carry a concealed handgun. Under current Maine law, the simple action of putting on a jacket turns a law-abiding gun owner into a law breaker, unless they undergo a lengthy permitting process. This legislation changes that, and in doing so restores our Second Amendment Rights.”
Though eligible citizens would no longer be required to seek a permit to carry a concealed handgun within Maine’s borders, the legislation preserves Maine’s permitting system so that citizens can enjoy reciprocity with other states.
Constitutional Carry is currently the law in the states of Vermont, Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma.
A public hearing has not yet been scheduled for the legislation.
