Maine Dumps CCW Permit--or Does It?

stagpanther said:
Also, the total number of CCW permittees is a matter of public record in the towns near me--though the identity is not AFAIK. I personally have no problem with my permit information being kept on record or reviewed--but this aspect is a point of contention with those that believe concealed carry is a fundamental right under the 2nd amendment.
Click to expand...
How could the number of licensees in a town be of any concern to one of the licensees? What's the issue?

I don't live in Maine, I live in another state that issues carry permits. Our permits are issued by the state. In my quest to repeal an anti-gun local ordinance, I have contacted the state agency that issues the permits. They quite properly told me they can't reveal the names of permit holders. But they could (and did) tell me that there were 456 active carry permits in my town.

The population of the town is a touch over 9,000. So now I know (and anyone else can find out) that 456 adults out of 9,000+ residents have carry permits. That doesn't worry me a bit in terms of violations of my privacy. How could that simple statistic in any way cause someone to single me out as a permit holder?

There are more important things to worry about.
 
That doesn't worry me a bit in terms of violations of my privacy. How could that simple statistic in any way cause someone to single me out as a permit holder?
Click to expand...
I never said anywhere that it did--the only semantic difference that I pointed about between choosing "to be" or "not to be" since you have a choice in Maine is that you remain in the state's database and in the few cases that I mentioned. I don't have a problem with that--but others do.
 
Maybe I should have rephrase that--it can take a long time while background checks are done on initial or re-application (I once missed the 30 day re-application deadline) as compared to say Georgia where all you have to do is fill out a piece of paper at the sheriff's office and you're done. A local police chief also said that local checks are sometimes done in some smaller towns where the option of "final decision" is made at a local level (I may be mistaken--but I believe this was a major point of resistance from the police chiefs association; I'm not LEO but I believe that's what the group is called). Also, the total number of CCW permittees is a matter of public record in the towns near me--though the identity is not AFAIK. I personally have no problem with my permit information being kept on record or reviewed--but this aspect is a point of contention with those that believe concealed carry is a fundamental right under the 2nd amendment.
Click to expand...
You can get your permit through the MSP or some cities/towns do background checks and issue them, either way the rules are the same. With the changes to the permitting law the MSP may be the sole source now.

No, the permitting process going through the MSP is not as fast as in those states where an S.O. is issuing them "while you wait". However, a year or so ago when we submitted my wife's application it took exactly 3 weeks from the day we mailed it to receive her permit. When I retired from LE last year I reapplied for mine since I'd let it lapse years before since I didn't need it, it took 3 weeks and 4 days.


Numbers of permits issued in a given municipality is meaningless. More important is the fact that in 2013 when one of the larger newspapers in the state was trying to get permit holder names and addresses, the law was changed to make concealed carry permit holder personal information off limits and no longer available to the public.
 
The first time I took my CCW class it was a 3 day schedule instructed by members of a major city's police department which covered the various types of handguns, their operation, assembly, disassembly and maintenance as well as range proficiency. But one of the best discussions for me were the legal ramifications in various CCW scenarios. I was a favorite with the range instructor officer--not because I shot very well--but because one day I did a little dance at the line after a spent 230 gr 45 acp case just so happened to eject from my XD and go down the front of my T shirt into my pants. :o
 
I would like to hear more

I would like to hear more about Maine dropping the permit requirement to carry. Does this mean a state government has come to their senses and sees that its citizens have a right to carry and free citizens should not have to get a permit to exercise their rights? That the second amendment is our permit Or is there some other side to it?
bb
 
why must I have a permit?

Why do I have to have a permit to carry? Does not the 2nd amendment grant me that right? I read the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Seems to me requiring me to get a permit is an infringement. Part of the permit process is a background check, again am I having to prove I am innocent, I thought it was up to the government to prove I'm guilty and then if I'm guilty of something then take appropriate action. I really feel that by playing along with the permit system we have allowed our rights to be chiseled away a little bit we have to pay for a class, pay for a permit, pay for a background check I'm sorry what other right in the bill of rights to I have to pay to exercise the right or acquire a permit to exercise the right. If this logic was carried forward I would need a permit to exercise my freedom of speech. Or maybe get a permit to go to the church of my choice. Am I the only one that thinks this?
bb
 
@buzzard--I think I pretty much outlined the changes at the beginning of the thread. Because Maine is mostly a low population density rural state I don't think there will be problems with the new permitless changes--we'll see. IMO in general firearms use is quite prevalent throughout Maine and violent crime rates are very low--but again I think this is mostly because it does not have much in the way of urban density. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Acadia NP--it is comparatively a tiny park but during the summer tourist season experiences one of the highest--if not the highest-- national and international visitor population densities of any NP in the country. I live in the Acadia NP area--and what really drives me crazy is the deer hunting prohibition--especially since browse damage and weekly deer-vehicle collisions rates are very high--not to mention very high Lyme's disease rates among both humans and pets. The public here in general is not simply ignorant of deer management issues--it denies the facts behind deer management science.
 
Last edited:
stagpanther said:
I live in the Acadia NP area--and what really drives me crazy is the deer hunting prohibition--especially since browse damage and weekly deer-vehicle collisions rates are very high--not to mention very high Lyme's disease rates among both humans and pets. The public here in general is not simply ignorant of deer management issues--it denies the facts behind deer management science.
Click to expand...
I live in a town with a hunting prohibition, and a similarly high incidence of car-deer collisions. What they're really saying is that hunting of deer is allowed, but the only weapons you can use are motor vehicles.
 
Originally Posted by stagpanther
I live in the Acadia NP area--and what really drives me crazy is the deer hunting prohibition--especially since browse damage and weekly deer-vehicle collisions rates are very high--not to mention very high Lyme's disease rates among both humans and pets. The public here in general is not simply ignorant of deer management issues--it denies the facts behind deer management science.

I live in a town with a hunting prohibition, and a similarly high incidence of car-deer collisions. What they're really saying is that hunting of deer is allowed, but the only weapons you can use are motor vehicles.
Click to expand...
Nah--what they are really saying--in fact I have heard said at a town council meeting--is "do what the hunters have always done--poach em." This is an OK strategy if 1) you're rich enough to afford a very good lawyer and 2) You live in a town where everyone knows you and loves you--because once that call goes in--it's over with.
 
stagpanther said:
Nah--what they are really saying--in fact I have heard said at a town council meeting--is "do what the hunters have always done--poach em." This is an OK strategy if 1) you're rich enough to afford a very good lawyer and 2) You live in a town where everyone knows you and loves you--because once that call goes in--it's over with.
Click to expand...
So the preferred modus operandi should be to shoot the deer, drag it to the road, run over it with your car/truck/jeep, and call it in as an accidental collision and you shot it to put it out of its misery.

Brilliant!
 
My apologies for getting off-topic and airing out a pet whine of mine. After weighing all the pros and cons I've decided to continue staying with the CC permit program--at least until some time goes by and seeing if anything changes.
 
Does this mean a state government has come to their senses
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. There already is a movement to repeal, with all the garbage that's going on around the world. Personally, I plan to renew my permit in a couple of years, if I live long enough...:)
 
I assume you mean for firearms purchase? I haven't heard of that--
Click to expand...

Yes. In Arizona, if you have a CCW, you don't have to go through a NICS check. Although AZ is a Constitutional carry state with no need for a carry permit, I keep mine for firearms purchases and/or reciprocity in other states.
 
Yes. In Arizona, if you have a CCW, you don't have to go through a NICS check. Although AZ is a Constitutional carry state with no need for a carry permit, I keep mine for firearms purchases and/or reciprocity in other states.
Click to expand...
Mostly the same questions--makes sense--except that when an FFL check happens presumably "the latest data" is supplied by running through the FBI system, so theoretically it would be possible to have recent crimes not checked by a simple glance at a card? (ignoring the argument against any checks at all mind you).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top