COMMITTEE ENDORSES MEASURE ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PRIVACY

Posted: April 04, 2013 | Judiciary, Senator Valentino

Bill receives bipartisan support

AUGUSTA–This afternoon the Judiciary Committee passed a measure which balanced the needs of law enforcement with an individual’s personally identifying information. In a vote of 10-3, the measure received bipartisan support for LD 345 as amended.

 

Senate Chair Linda Valentino (D-Saco) issued the following statement:

 

“The committee worked hard to keep politics out of the process. We crafted a bill that allows for transparency so that law enforcement officials can access the information they need while also protecting folks who have concerns about their personal safety. Additionally, for the first time, the Maine State Police will create a plan to collect information from municipalities about the number and demographics of concealed weapon permit holders.”

 

Elements of the bill as passed include:

 

  • Public access to permit holders’ town, date of issuance, and expiration
  • Holders’ name, date of birth, and street are confidential and exempt from public , but not by law enforcement or criminal justice professionals.
  • Statewide standardization of conceal carry permits. Currently the State Police issue permits for 309 towns and municipalities; all other towns issue their own.
  • Statewide statistical aggregation of conceal carry permits, e .g. number of permit applications, number of permits issued, number refused or denied, number of suspensions and revocations; gender, age, and municipality or zip code of residence.

 

The amended bill is supported by a wide variety of organizations, including the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Maine State Police, and the Maine Sheriff’s Association.

 

The bill now faces votes in the House and Senate which could occur as soon as next week.

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