Another state has joined in the growing movement to deregulate concealed carry, giving residents 21 and over the freedom to exercise their Second Amendment right without having to apply for a state permit. The Maine House approved LD 652 in a vote of 87-60 on Thursday; Maine already does not require a permit for open carry.
Gov. Paul LePage stated his intention to veto any permitless carry—often called “constitutional” carry—measure that did not apply to all adult members of the military, so an amendment was added specifying that service men and women only needed to be 18 or older to carry unlicensed. While Maine residents still have the incentive to acquire a permit in order to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states, this bill stands to further deregulate legal self-defense and empower the vulnerable.
