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Bill > LD1743

ME LD1743

ME LD1743
An Act to Allow Municipalities to Prohibit Firearms Within Their Municipal Buildings and Voting Places and at Their Municipal Public Proceedings

summary

Introduced
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/30/2025
Crossed Over
06/12/2025
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025

Introduced Session

132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill permits a municipality to adopt an order, ordinance, policy or regulation that limits or prohibits the possession of firearms within its buildings and voting places and at municipal public proceedings within the municipality; if adopted, the order, ordinance, policy or regulation may impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation. The bill provides an exception to allow a federal, state, county or local law enforcement officer to possess firearms in a municipality's buildings and voting places and at municipal public proceedings within the municipality. If a municipality adopts such an order, ordinance, policy or regulation, it is required to post, in a prominent location outside of all buildings and other places to which the order, ordinance, policy or regulation applies, notice of the limitation or prohibition against the possession of firearms, including any adopted exceptions to the limitation or prohibition. For a municipal public proceeding that is conducted in a part of a nonmunicipal building, the limitation or prohibition does not extend to those nonmunicipal parts or users of the building. The bill also establishes a definition for "municipal public proceeding."

AI Summary

This bill allows municipalities in Maine to create local regulations that prohibit firearms in municipal buildings, voting places, and during municipal public proceedings. Specifically, municipalities can adopt an order or policy that limits or bans firearm possession in these locations, with the ability to impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for violations. The bill provides clear definitions for key terms like "firearm" (using existing state law), "law enforcement officer," "municipal public proceeding," and "voting place." Municipalities must specifically designate the buildings and locations covered by their firearms restriction and must post prominent notices about these restrictions at the affected locations. An important exception is made for federal, state, county, and local law enforcement officers, who are permitted to possess firearms in these spaces. The regulation does not apply to non-municipal parts of buildings where municipal proceedings might be held, and it cannot conflict with existing school firearm regulations. This legislation gives local governments more discretion in managing firearms in public municipal spaces while maintaining clear guidelines and exceptions.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 06/16/2025)

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