LAWMAKERS HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON FIREARM PROPOSALS

Bills sponsored by President Alfond and Senator Gerzofsky reviewed

AUGUSTA—Lawmakers on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee began public hearings this morning on several bills concerning firearms, including those sponsored by Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland, and Senator Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick.

President Alfond’s bill would ban and make a Class D crime the possession of high capacity magazines that carry more than ten rounds—exempting current and former law enforcement officials and those Mainers who currently own high capacity magazines legally.

“The massacre in Newtown shook this country to its core. We can no longer put off having these charged conversations. Times have changed and this gun debate is different. Now is the time to do something,” said President Alfond. “And with this bill, we have an opportunity to save lives and protect our Constitutional rights.”

President Alfond noted that high-capacity magazines serve the purpose of reducing “inconvenience” of continued ammunition reloading for the shooter, “The goal becomes firing as many rounds as possible, as quickly as possible. Hit more, faster, and with less effort.”

Senator Gerzofsky’s bill would close the so called “gun show loophole” by requiring background checks for sales at gun shows.

“No one who buys a gun should do so without a background check,” said Senator Gerzofsky. “Closing this loophole is an important step in making sure that guns do not end up in the wrong hands.”

The measure would make a gun show operator responsible for any failure to perform a required background check and subject to a fine of up to $10,000 for each such failure. The bill also requires gun show operators to post signs at gun shows to notify exhibitors of the background check requirement and requires gun show operators to provide unlicensed sellers and transferors with access to licensed sellers and transferors who will undertake the required background checks.

The committee also heard testimony on LD 380, An Act To Clarify the Law Concerning the Threatening Display of Dangerous Weapons, LD 1054, An Act To Prohibit Enforcement by a Federal or State Official or Others of the National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2012, LD 1183, An Act To Prohibit the Enforcement of Federal Law Placing Restrictions on Firearms or Ammunition, and LD 1240, An Act To Promote the Safe Use and Sale of Firearms.

The committee will be holding public hearings tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. on measures concerning reciprocity agreements with other states on concealed weapons permits, the use of firearms in state parks, and the ability of employees to keep firearms in their vehicles while at work.