Maine Law Prohibits Any State Gun Registry
Bill Link: LD9
Effective Date: 6/12/2017
Overview: A law prohibiting any type of state firearms registry went into effect in Maine on June 12, 2017. The law will not only protect the privacy of Maine gun owners, it will also hinder the federal government’s ability to develop a firearms database and create a climate less favorable to federal gun control.
Rep. Patrick Corey (R-Windham) sponsored House Bill 9 (LD9) along with a bipartisan coalition. The new law declares:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a government agency of this State or a political subdivision of this State may not keep or cause to be kept a comprehensive registry of privately owned firearms and the owners of those firearms within its jurisdiction.”
The House approved the joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety’s “ought to pass” report by a 122-24 margin. The Senate unanimously passed it 35-0. Both chambers then voted for LD9 to be enacted by a voice vote. Gov. Paul LePage signed the bill on June 12 and it went into immediate effect.