Maine: Employee Protection Bill Moves to the House Floor

On Monday, LD 1603 was voted “ought to pass” as amended by an 8 to 5 vote by the Maine Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.  LD 1603 will now go to the House floor for consideration.  Big business lobbyists are waging an aggressive campaign to defeat LD 1603.  This legislation would protect the right of a state employee, who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm, to keep a firearm in his or her private vehicle for self-defense, hunting, or target shooting before or after work.  The employee’s vehicle must be locked and the firearm cannot be visible.