It may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back when the Bangor Daily News(BDN) sought the names and addresses of every single concealed carry permit holder in the state. Such a request did not set well with those permit holders and even those not holding a valid permit. I wrote yesterday that requesting and use of that information can only be for all the wrong reasons. The Bangor Daily News has since rescinded their request.
The uproar has grabbed the attention of many, including the New York Times that made note this request for information followed on the footstep of another news agency in New York that actually published the list of names from two counties and included an interactive map to go along with it, intimating that BDN had the same intent. BDN stated they did not intend to publish the information.
BDN’s actions seemed to be enough to set off a domino effect and prompt others to take action. The Governor, Paul LePage, has submitted emergency legislation that would temporarily block the release of permit holders’ information. This may be a good and timely move as it appears another group has requested the same personal information as did BDN.
George Smith, a freelance outdoor writer and who happens to write articles for the Bangor Daily News, says that maybe it’s time to do away with concealed carry permits.
For years I tried to convince legislators to repeal the law requiring permits to carry weapons in a concealed manner. The concealed carry permit system is illogical, expensive, and a waste of time and resources.
I’m all for that! Requirement of a concealed carry permit is unconstitutional and is nothing more than a glorified form of gun registration. It has always boggled my mind that gun owners mostly oppose any form of gun registration but find no problem with submitting to licensed carry. Vermont does not require a permit to carry concealed and Maine should follow suit.
On a related note, some gun owners I’ve heard from say we need to compromise and seek more reasonable gun limits. I say why? I think it’s time to not only hold firm to our already diminished rights but to push back even harder and regain ground already compromised away. Make no mistake, the gun grabbers aren’t interested in compromise for themselves; only if gun owners are willing to do it.
And while all this posturing is going on, Maine has a backlog of about 3 or 4 months to get a permit; and that estimate may be very low as I am aware of one instance of a person seeking to renew, and it took at least 6 months.
Maine people are an independent lot and sometimes it takes quite a bit to stir a fire under them. It appears the BDN, along with a tyrant for a president and other fascist politicians have kindled a large enough flame to prompt many Mainers to say, enough is enough. You ain’t messin’ with me and my guns!
