Maine: Gun Confiscation Bill Scheduled for Committee Hearing

[Charlie T Waite]

On Tuesday, April 6, the Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 1068.  Please contact Members of the Judiciary Committee and ask them to OPPOSE this gun confiscation measure.

Legislative Document 1068 creates two new sections of Maine law, which outline the power of the court in issuing orders or consent agreements for protection from harassment, and authorizes the surrender of firearms. This bill is redundant and unnecessary, burdens Second Amendment rights, divests the courts of discretion, and mandates the surrender and confiscation of constitutionally protected property without a hearing and without notice.

Constitutional rights should only be restricted with sufficient due process of law. Due process limits restrictions on constitutional rights to only serious convictions and adjudications that provide procedural protections to the accused, which results in more reliable proceedings. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms should not be treated as a second-class right and should only be restricted when sufficient protections are in place.

Again, please contact Members of the Judiciary Committee and ask them to OPPOSE LD 1068. NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters are also encouraged to testify or submit written testimony. You must be signed-up to testify remotely, 30 minutes prior to the start of the hearing.