Pro-gun rally shines light on liberal laws
By Ann S. Kim akim@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND — Gun owners plan to meet in Back Cove today with firearms in holsters.
Participants in the open-carry event will be asserting their constitutional right to bear arms in a state with some of the most permissive firearms laws in the nation.
Today's open-carry event was organized by Shane Belanger, a University of Southern Maine freshman who grew up in Caribou.
"I'd like to see a bunch of people coming out, having a good time, eating some food, swapping some stories," said Belanger.
Belanger said he's got 41 people confirmed as guests to attend the barbecue, along with another 25 or so possible attendees, and three dogs. Belanger said his father may come down from The County to participate.
"He's pretty excited – he's very pro-Second Amendment," said Belanger, adding that he personally didn't plan to bring a gun to the event.
Belanger said he thought public response to the event has been positive. Some are wondering what's going to happen, he said.
"They're going to see how it goes," he said. "It's just friends with a common interest, coming together to have a barbecue – nothing more. We're not going to be in anyone's face, we're just there to have a good time."
Carrying a firearm in Maine requires no permit unless the weapon is concealed. There are no state background checks, waiting periods, licenses or safety instruction requirements for unconcealed firearms. Municipalities are prohibited from adopting more restrictive rules.
"We are on the extreme end, but there are a bunch (of other states) with us," said Cathie Whittenburg, director of the Westbrook-based New England Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gives Maine laws a score of 11 of a possible 100. The organization takes into account several dozen criteria, ranging from gun-dealer regulations to bans on assault weapons to limits on bulk purchases. way of comparison, the highest state score of 80 went to California and the low of zero went to Utah.
"There are, certainly in rural areas, legitimate reasons people have guns," said Molly Warren, a spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign. "Urban, they have more crime implications. Mayors of cities are some of our strongest advocates because they see more problems."
Maine is among the majority of states that allow firearms to be carried openly. Thirty-five states allow it, three prohibit it and 12 require permits, Warren said.
Maine has no statute that spells out the right to openly carry a firearm – there is merely no prohibition.
Matt Dunlap, Maine secretary of state and a board member of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, said he remembers a time when it wasn't unusual for a hunter to carry a rifle in downtown Bangor when shopping for a new sight.
"It's almost unthinkable that in this day and age you would do that," he said. "People are very alarmed by an open display of firearms."
Dunlap said that shouldn't be the case, and he supports today's open-carry event, though he doesn't plan to take part.
Although Maine's fairly liberal gun laws may seem settled, "it's always under scrutiny," he said, making it important for gun owners to assert their rights – particularly in the state's largest city.
That Portlanders might get upset over a group of gun owners openly carrying firearms, he said, "is a vagary of urbanism that we find amusing in rural Maine."
"It's less an issue here than it is in other states," Dunlap noted, pointing out Massachusetts as an example of a state with strong gun control laws. Gun control advocates contend that Massachusetts residents can circumvent tough gun laws at home by buying firearms in Maine and other states where the regulations are more lenient.
Dunlap said he hopes the event in Portland spurs debate over gun laws, saying it's an issue that's best discussed before any action is taken. He said open carry is a right that many gun owners are rediscovering, and today's open-carry event mirrors similar events held around the country.
Maine law deals only with the concealment and transport of firearms. The law prohibits the threatening display of a firearm but does not spell out how an unconcealed weapon should be carried.
When in a vehicle, owners without a concealed weapon permit should put their weapons out of reach – in the trunk, for example – with the ammunition kept separate from the firearm, said Maine State Police Chief Col. Patrick Fleming. Owners with concealed weapon permits are allowed to keep their firearms loaded and with them, he said.
Applicants for concealed weapon permits must answer a questionnaire about their background, show they have knowledge of handgun safety and be of good moral character. For the last category, police or town authorities can consider criminal records and domestic abuse.
Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion says he thinks Maine's gun laws are more than adequate. He said law enforcement agencies are able to work well with the laws and that it makes sense for the state, rather than the municipalities, to regulate guns.
"If you have fragmented gun laws across communities, it would be confusing," he said.
Today's event has prompted a counterdemonstration by gun control activists who hope the Legislature will consider greater municipal regulation of firearms.
That would be a reversal. In 1989, the Legislature passed a law that stripped communities of local gun control authority. That happened after then-Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood tried to use a 19th-century ordinance to ban carrying weapons in public between sunset and sunrise.
A 1980 state supreme court ruling against Freeport's attempt to be more restrictive than the state on concealed weapon permits also helped form the current landscape, according to David Lourie, a former city attorney for Portland.
"I think, in general, municipalities were chastened by what happened in the 1980s and generally backed off," he said.
In 1994, Portland drew national attention in the gun debate. Police confiscated a loaded 9 mm Glock semi-automatic handgun from a Windham man who was carrying it in a holster at the Deering Oaks Family Festival. Chitwood, who characterized the display by Bruce Mayberry as threatening, kept the gun for three weeks before returning it.
Dion said he was curious about the message open-carry participants are sending.
"Right now, they have a surprise factor on their part," he said. "But when the dust settles, let's see if it moves the conversation forward."
-- Staff Writers Edward D. Murphy and Matt Wickenheiser contributed to this story.
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be
contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akim@pressherald.com
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Most...
Copyright ©2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
90 COMMENTS
OldGuy said...
The gun in your holster/pocket etc. is easily trumped by the gun in a criminal's hand. Easiest way for a crook to gather an arsenal: he spots some dude prancing around town with a holstered gun, sticks his own gun (maybe even a knife) in the belly or back of the make-believe cowboy, and snarls, "Gimme your piece, dummy." It's easier than breaking into a home and hoping there are guns to steal.
April 25, 2010 at 2:42 AM Report abuse
Rocky4 said...
A really bad move for gun owners. We've got it pretty darn good as it stands with the CCW permits and even in Acadia. Now this 20 year old looking for his 15 minutes of fame has stirred up a hornets nest.
April 25, 2010 at 5:14 AM Report abuse
MaineReason said...
Good morning Portland! Welcome to the way life should be, grown men and women, students and their dogs strutting around town with holstered guns. They could walk around the cove with pornography or machetes strapped to their waist or apparently naked. Some things are best left private. Normalizing the regular, open carry of firearms honestly scares the cr%$ out of me. Today's event will be benign but the more people decide to leave home packing, the more incidents will occur. We already have a serious issue of gun violence here in Maine, including a liberal attitude toward their regulation which has made Maine a haven for those who want easy access (eg no background check at gun shows) to guns. Hopefully this will be seen as a step backwards for gun owners and for Maine, at least I think so.
April 25, 2010 at 6:17 AM Report abuse
mutt said...
Maine reason "a serious issue of gun violence"really?? Where? I hare blanket claims like that with no facts. Personally I think one of these untrained doles is going to shoot themselves or someone else. It is remarkable to me that to conceal u take a course get licensed. But carry openly all u need is the $$ to buy one ! Yikes.
April 25, 2010 at 6:35 AM Report abuse
Johnwilson20 said...
It's a shame that we need to arrogantly publicize the freedoms we have as it will only lead to the government taking them away. I can think of three such freedoms which have got their 15 mins of fame here in the PPH - nude dancing in Carrabasett Valley, Bearing Arms Publicly and the legality of female toplessness (not all three of which I think are marvelous - but I do think liberty in general is a great gift in our country). All these people will leave for their legacy is an abridgment of our rights once the left wing legislators find a way to ban these acts. The organizer of this and the topless march should familiarize themselves with the word "irony." By publicly and arrogantly celebrating their freedoms they will ultimately act as the agent that destroyed them for the rest of us, and for posterity.
April 25, 2010 at 6:56 AM Report abuse
y2kflh said...
Hmmm. California, with the country's highest score in The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, scores 5th highest in the country's gun violence per capita. Maine with a dismal 11 out of 100 in #38, only 12 other states have lower gun violence. How's that working for ya CA? Folks, we don't need to be afraid of law abiding citizens who are armed. It's the criminals, who will find a weapon even if it's illegal. Duh.
April 25, 2010 at 6:56 AM Report abuse
MaddieM said...
"we don't need to be afraid of law abiding citizens who are armed. It's the criminals, who will find a weapon even if it's illegal." And how, pray tell, do you tell the difference?
April 25, 2010 at 7:13 AM Report abuse
rushme said...
Place your bets folks! How many people will do something stupid today at this event? How many will get arrested?.....And did someone think to invite Former Portland Police Chief Mike Chitwood for this?
April 25, 2010 at 7:47 AM Report abuse
warmitup said...
I think this is great! What good are rights when no one exercises them from time to time and it is true most people dont know their rights where firearms are concerned which means they wont recognise an attack on their rights when it happens. Go FOR IT! As to the gentleman that is worried that some fool will be arrested at the rally it's pretty unlikely and to comment of the guy who is worried about some criminal sticking a knife in the back of us would be cowboys I say ... let them bring a knife to a gun fight
April 25, 2010 at 8:12 AM Report abuse
Ebb said...
not a brain or a tooth to be found at the back cove today
April 25, 2010 at 8:13 AM Report abuse
heyjoe said...
Crickets chirping.....
April 25, 2010 at 8:15 AM Report abuse
Helen said...
I am pro-Second Amendment and applaud the Supreme Court opinion regarding ownership as an individual right. However, coming from NJ, where we have less than 100 people who have a license to carry, it might shock some of your tourists to drive into Portland and see people with guns in holsters. I'm with the poster who wonders about a 20 year old kid wanting his 15 minutes of fame. At a time when people are being shot at schools, banks, etc., is it wise to scare people?
April 25, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
exPortland said...
Gosh all fishhooks, they're just practicing some of that diversity. Where does it say you can only walk down the street carrying a Starbucks?
April 25, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse
y2kflh said...
Maddie, a criminal is someone who commits a crime. A law abiding citizen is someone who does not commit crime. Do I need to go into detail about what constitutes a crime to make it easier to tell the difference? When someone robs a bank and they catch him how often is it your church going neighbor, and how often is it a sketched out crackhead? The church going neighbor likely not a criminal. The crackhead, criminal. Is this becoming clearer?
April 25, 2010 at 8:55 AM Report abuse
Caveman said...
mutt claimed "untrained doles is going to shoot themselves" *&^*&^ johnwilson..."arrogantly publicize the freedoms we have as it will only lead to the government taking them away." *&^*&^ Helen..."20 year old kid wanting his 15 minutes of fame" *&^*&^ mutt and helen ; if we own them we take care of them, we buy ammo and shoot at a range frequently and clean and oil them frequently. If Belanger is from the County, he knows his guns! *&^*&^ wilson explain to me when a constitutional amendment was last overturned?
April 25, 2010 at 8:57 AM Report abuse
SueBK said...
Most any object can be turned into a weapon. Society needs to be much more concerned with the behaviors that incite violence than the actual object used. I would rather be shot and killed by someones gun than beaten to death with a baseball bat or strangled by someones tie or drowned by rope and cement block or Grannies hat pin in my ear or stabbed with someones favorite fillet knife-get the picture? How many times do we hear in the news about someone who stabbed themselves while trying to separate frozen hot dogs or opened up their hand when their screwdriver missed the screw? Ha.....never, take another idiot that didn't check his weapon before cleaning it and shot himself in the foot and it makes national news. Think about it. Take a real hard look at crime rates in this countrys 'no gun zones.' That will give you liveral, anti gun, common sense is dead people something do do while you're leaving my rights alone.
April 25, 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
This is nothing more than a bunch of hicks from the sticks bringing their "Equalizers" into down to intimidate normal people and show off the size of their "pieces" because they're afraid of the new "sheriff" in town (President Obama, who has a bit more than 1/32 of African blood). So the boob leading this parade is from the "county," huh? Shows what a diet of just potatoes and long winters will do...
April 25, 2010 at 9:26 AM Report abuse
Pablo said...
With some of the most liberal laws on gun rights Maine has one of the lowest Firearms deaths per capita (#43). The irony is killing me. With some of the strictest laws Washington DC has the highest deaths by firearms per capita. The irony is now crushin me. Have a great BBQ, great day to educate those people who have no idea of their rights and why they have them.
April 25, 2010 at 9:29 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Thank you, u280f9wrufhwi, for your kind comment, KNUCLE DRAGGER!
April 25, 2010 at 9:38 AM Report abuse
BenMatlock said...
I agree that an armed society is a safe society. Would the active shooters in so many examples have dared to commit their evil deeds if they knew that they were surrounded by dozens or armed civilians who wouldn't hesitate defending themselves or others? Probably not. At the very least, innocent lives would be saved. As a police officer, I prefer concealed carry in public. I understand the very real situations that can be created by "man with gun" calls. I assume everyone I encounter has a weapon, gun or otherwise, regardless of whether I can immediately see one. It has to be this way. These opencarry.org stunts do little to advance the discussion or make the points that some posters here have already made: namely, Maine is an ARMED and SAFE state. To assume this is solely because of lax open carry rules is a little naive, immature, and shallow in my humble opinion. I think this is what Sheriff Dion was getting at.
April 25, 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse
SL said...
Caribou called, they want their idiot back.
April 25, 2010 at 9:59 AM Report abuse
pphreader said...
MSH,I am with you.No one,including the President wants to do anything to modify the 2nd amendment.Essentially,this is a demonstration of armed racists.Maine is a rurual state.Many of us own guns.Frankly,rational adults, conservative or progressive, have no need to strut about Portland with a holstered gun .This is a demonstation of fools in a contest of "mine is bigger than yours"...
April 25, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
BenMatlock said...
And I agree with OldGuy in the first comment: Action beats reaction, seven days a week and twice on Sundays.
April 25, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Soon as someone can demonstrate that laws affect criminals, we'll have a serious debate about gun laws. Until then, this issue is a left wing liberal wet dream and nothing more. The true morons here are the hoplophobic gun grabbers spewing their useless garbage about sticking knives or guns in the backs of "make believe cowboys". Licensed dealers must perform background checks of ALL buyers, WHERE EVER they sell a firearm. That includes GUN SHOWS. Private persons selling a firearm do not. You've got what you managed to jam down our throats in 1994. You'll get no more until you start using it. Charge people who lie on 4473's and initiate the check when they KNOW they're ineligible. I remember when I was working for the PD dispatch said some dub called in there was someone walking down the street with a shotgun. "Is he shooting the thing?" No, he's walking. "So?" She says she's worried. He was walking to the pawn shop to sell it. I bought it, saved him the trip.
April 25, 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse
Peetree said...
Oh yawn, I wager there are more gun owners in the city of Portland than the entire "county" where this kid grew up. Furthermore, if he went home and staged such a stunt in Caribou, I imagine his family would talk him out of it in short order. You can be quite certain he was provoked into action by a faculty member of USM.
April 25, 2010 at 10:13 AM Report abuse
BenMatlock said...
If I were going to rob a bank, and I walked in and saw two people with guns on their hips, guess who I'd shoot first? Again, action beats reaction. Concealed carry makes far more sense, if you actually give it some thought.
April 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Old Guy,I agree with you.Another sane voice.Personally,me and my guns are staying at home and away from the back cove.Someone over there may sneeze and they'll open fire on one of their own.Natures way of thinning the herd,deepening the shallow gene pool,whatever...
April 25, 2010 at 10:20 AM Report abuse
Caveman said...
Having lived in the County at Loring and Houlton; I'll beg to differ with peetree. I have no stats to prove it either. BenMatlock, as a police officer, has an interesting view point. "Maine is an ARMED and SAFE state." To which I add a hearty affirmative.
April 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse
null said...
Good for them. Anyone interested in this issue may wish to consider joining the Free State Project and moving to New Hampshire. We have many activists standing up for our rights and rallies like this are a frequent occurrence. Google "free state project"
April 25, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
BenMatlock said...
(bank was a bad example, should've used drug store)
April 25, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
Ken, from the Ken and Mike radio talk show is home on the floor in the fetal postion wearing not one but two extra strenght Depends..
April 25, 2010 at 10:24 AM Report abuse
Pablo said...
pphreader, Everyone knows the only guns you have are squirt guns. Anyone with the name pphreader is at home figuring out ways to live off the government cheese and walk around naked in public. Thanks for trying.....
April 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM Report abuse
Michigal said...
Johnwilson20 already said what I was going to say, which is that by publicizing these events (open carry, women's rights to go topless) we risk having some group get alarmed and working to shut off these rights permanently. It is truly an irony as stated if this does happen. And FWIW, I'm a liberal and a Democrat. Please do not lump all Dems together in one bunch as wanting to take away rights. This (and the topless marches) are really bad ideas. Those youngsters should leave well enough alone.
April 25, 2010 at 10:30 AM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Pablo,guess again...They call me William tell at the range.BTW I probably pay more in taxes every week than you draw from your SSI checks...Disabled with back pain or is it mental health issues? My sympathies...Now go take your oxy and lie down....
April 25, 2010 at 10:38 AM Report abuse
BenMatlock said...
Just read the PPH editorial. I agree with it 100%.
April 25, 2010 at 10:50 AM Report abuse
Johnwilson20 said...
@Caveman - (not sure what all the weird characters you put in the comment are - cute cat faces?) I am not sure that bearing arms in public is a constitutional right that is not able to be limited. Even if i grant that to be true, then how could all the states that do limit it get away with that? By being brazen all this group does is beg for reactionary legislation or local ordinances. Even an unconstitutional abridgment of 2nd Amendment rights can take years to overturn. So the question is, why invite that?
April 25, 2010 at 10:58 AM Report abuse
Godless said...
y2kflh said..."Maddie, a criminal is someone who commits a crime. A law abiding citizen is someone who does not commit crime. Do I need to go into detail about what constitutes a crime to make it easier to tell the difference? When someone robs a bank and they catch him how often is it your church going neighbor, and how often is it a sketched out crackhead? The church going neighbor likely not a criminal. The crackhead, criminal. Is this becoming clearer?" [sarcasm]Exactly. All you have to do is look at someone and you KNOW if they are or aren't a criminal. DUH! [/sarcasm]
April 25, 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse
pphreader said...
TMF...be careful out there today.Use a condom and don't drink when you are showing off your big 'gun" .I think the PPD will be watching,as well they should.
April 25, 2010 at 11:16 AM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
"Sheriff, I see you're armed are you expecting trouble?", asked the old spinster at the church supper upon noticing the sheriff's sidearm in a holster on his belt. The sheriff replied, "No, maam not expecting trouble at all. If I'd been expecting trouble I'd have bought my rifle." It's become obvious that by not maintaining our rights, and carrying openly more often than during hunting season, we have allowed them to pass by the public awareness. Now people are not aware that it is our right, and they react with alarm when we act within our rights. We're remedying that currently, by bringing attention to our rights and affirming them.
April 25, 2010 at 11:36 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
Here we go again with the "Worst Case Scenario" women describing things that have rarely occurred and ascribing them to the general hysteria surrounding firearms. I suggest they run in circles until exhaustion overtakes them to prevent them running out into traffic. If you, like OldGuy, are afraid that someone will stick a gun or knife in your back in order to STEAL YOUR HOLSTERED PISTOL from your belt, then you may be an hysterical woman who should not carry a weapon. I wonder how many police officers have had their guns taken like that? I'll bet it's a lot!
April 25, 2010 at 11:36 AM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Don't think that a lot of police have their guns removed in that manner.That is why they go to academies for training.And certainly OJT and experience makes that pretty unlikely.Most criminals are cowards.
April 25, 2010 at 11:47 AM Report abuse
henryelm said...
"We don't need to be afraid of law abiding citizens who are armed. It's the criminals, who will find a weapon even if it's illegal." And yet with open carry there is NO required backgroubnd check. SO How then do you know the difference between the law abiding and the criminal?? BET there are a few criminal carrying at Back cove today. Maybe they will get an extra gun or two, today. And we'll have SHANE to thank for the CRIMINALS open carryiing and the police loosing there ability to ensure ONLY the law abiding ARE carrying. I can see all kinds of negative implication of this "defending of freedoms'
April 25, 2010 at 12:00 PM Report abuse
Pablo said...
pphreader - they "call you Willaim Tell at the range." You are a moron of the highest degree. Please never make a comeback like that again, you are an embarassment to comedy. There are so many better comebacks, please try again.
April 25, 2010 at 12:03 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
seems to me the NRA and Moses emphasis on "gun rights" and de- emphasis on gun safety is INTENDED TO more easily put guns in the hand of the CRIMINAL ( not the law abiding). So you see someone walking down the street, open carrying , so how do you know he's not heading to( name your place) to rob the place?? BUT NOW you DON"T report it, because of constitutional rights and all. ALL Because shane wants the right to be able to paraede around with his gun strapped to him and play cowboy. Thanks alot shane!!! SO shane you gonna be there with your gun when they rob ( who knows who/ who knows where?) YUP good ole OK coral. GO watch some westerns shane and spare us.
April 25, 2010 at 12:11 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Give me ONE example where any law abiding PORTLAND citizen with a GUN stopped a criminal with a gun. Give me one example where the "law abiding" with a gun shot themselves instead, just loading up. And then give me the statistics on the "law abiding" in Maine shooting their SPOUSE (on purpose)instead. Play safe out thee BOYS with their toys.
April 25, 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse
Jack24 said...
God Bless our Founding Fathers! The 2nd ammendment has kept this country safe for over 2 centuries!!! I hope every one has a great time at the rally..
April 25, 2010 at 12:23 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
A bunch of little big men. Gun owners who need to flaunt the fact are clearly trying to cover up their own sense of personal inadequacy. Sort of like a fat, middle aged balding nobody who buys himself a fast car, because he thinks it makes him athletic and sexy. Guns don't make the owners tough. And despite their delusions, they don't offer them protection. If the "criminal" already has a gun pointed at them, well, gun owners usually wet themselves. Their Rambo delusions of toughness are pure fantasy. But, at least a large number of the gun owners wear Depends, so they don't mess the surroundings when the call comes to step up and be Clint Eastwood.
April 25, 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
Yup, Jack24, the 2nd amendment has kept the US as the western country with the highest murder rate and the highest incarceration rate, by far. Quite an achievement for those slave owning, genocidal, rich white guys who were the founding fathers.
April 25, 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Browsing the open carry website, my conclusion is most promoting open carry are parnoid, looking for trouble, have an itching trgger finger and are MORE dangerous then the criminal. This from their OCT( open carry tactics) forum( basically HOW DO YOU OPEN CARRY In public): I will start: 1) When I enter a building (store, movie theater, home, etc) I quickly look around for any trouble spots or people. I also look for the emergency exits in case of well emergency (fire, power outage, etc). I have taught my daughters this as well and I can blindfold them and they can point to the exits.
April 25, 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
continued, 2) When I sit in a restaurant I always sit facing the door so I can see any trouble entering the building. I also always sit on the aisle seat to enable quicker access to my firearm and any trouble that may enter. 3) When in line at a 'Starbucks' or similar establishment I stand in line facing the door at an angle and generally try to do so weak side so that if there was someone who entered who was trouble they may not notice me right away. I generally stand weak side towards others and the bulk of activity in a public setting to limit access to my firearm.
April 25, 2010 at 12:29 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
continued, 2) When I sit in a restaurant I always sit facing the door so I can see any trouble entering the building. I also always sit on the aisle seat to enable quicker access to my firearm and any trouble that may enter.
April 25, 2010 at 12:30 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
continued, 2) When I sit in a restaurant I always sit facing the door so I can see any trouble entering the building. I also always sit on the aisle seat to enable quicker access to my firearm and any trouble that may enter.
April 25, 2010 at 12:31 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
"No arrests yet in home robbery". The police should look for the perpetrators down at the rally. Pretty good odds that the lowlife who did this is marching with his buddies who made it easy for him to get his gun in the first place. Where were all these 2nd amendment heroes when the crime was taking place? Where they always are. Nowhere.
April 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
"No arrests yet in home robbery". The police should look for the perpetrators down at the rally. Pretty good odds that the lowlife who did this is marching with his buddies who made it easy for him to get his gun in the first place. Where were all these 2nd amendment heroes when the crime was taking place? Where they always are. Nowhere.
April 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
conntinued, 3) When in line at a 'Starbucks' or similar establishment I stand in line facing the door at an angle and generally try to do so weak side so that if there was someone who entered who was trouble they may not notice me right away. I generally stand weak side towards others and the bulk of activity in a public setting to limit access to my firearm.
April 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
3) When in line at a 'Starbucks' or similar establishment I stand in line facing the door at an angle and generally try to do so weak side so that if there was someone who entered who was trouble they may not notice me right away. I generally stand weak side towards others and the bulk of activity in a public setting to limit access to my firearm.
April 25, 2010 at 12:35 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Nope these post ( and similar ones a the site) DO NOT reassure me or make me "feel" safer. It make me feel like the odds of being shot by an itchy trigger fingered open carry advocate is greater then being shot by a criminal!!! BOYS there are NOT toys, this is NOT the wild west and you are no maverick.
April 25, 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse
william said...
The diaper-wearing lefties in the big "city" of Portland should be looking at this as just another display of cultural diversity and free speech-which we all know they greatly value as long they agree with it.
April 25, 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse
bebopredux said...
Seems the people here exercising their right to free speech via the 1st Amendment have forgotten that right was obtained by those willing to use guns to fight for it.
April 25, 2010 at 1:31 PM Report abuse
sapereaude1 said...
Near's I can understand it, more people are killed in Maine by moose in the road than by firearms in the hand. Let's make it illegal to carry a concealed moose on a public road, and save all those lives. For most of the history of this country, it was against the law for a free male between 18 and 45 NOT to have a firearm and ammunition in his home. And for someone not in uniform who wants to take my gun from me on the rare occasions when I am armed, I'd quote: "Make my day."
April 25, 2010 at 1:34 PM Report abuse
Chew said...
Regardless of rights, performing this type of march in the city area is asking for trouble. I personally have no problem with people bearing arms as they see fit but we live today in a social structure of fear and this type of display is the very type of event that our liberal legislature will attack at first opportunity. Openly walking around in any manner that is deemed threatening or offensive to many people is a surefire way to draw attention to a right and a responsibility best carried with respect and restraint.
April 25, 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse
Caveman said...
william said... The diaper-wearing lefties in the big "city" of Portland should be looking at this as just another display of cultural diversity and free speech-which we all know they greatly value as long they agree with it. *&^*&^*&^ Thank you and very well said: it is no different than me turning my nose up at gay/lesbian marriage. Well it has a Constitutional mention; but I'm sure our dear forefathers weren't thinking of peepee puffers.
April 25, 2010 at 1:52 PM Report abuse
Janey said...
So... Just drove by Back Cove on the way home from the gym. What's up with the roof-mounted machine gun? And the Confederate flag on somebody's truck?
April 25, 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Janey said... So... Just drove by Back Cove on the way home from the gym. What's up with the roof-mounted machine gun? And the Confederate flag on somebody's truck? *** Roof mounted machine gun? And a CONFEDERATE FLAG! Oh MY GOD! People actually daring to do something someone else won't like? What IS the world coming to? As long as nobody is manning the machine gun it's no more dangerous than a hood ornament. Pretty sure it's there so you'll get your drawers in a knot. Looks like it's working.
April 25, 2010 at 2:48 PM Report abuse
Janey said...
No knotted knickers... just thought it was kinda stoopid looking.
April 25, 2010 at 3:07 PM Report abuse
Caveman said...
So this winter a 74 year old North Carolina anti-gun congressman...shoots a home invader. Can we all spell hypocrite? http://secondamendmentfreedom.blogspot.com/2009/08/anti-gun-n-c-state-state-senator-shoots.html
April 25, 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse
SoPoYo said...
Fine, carry your guns but why a confederate flag?? Ignorant!
April 25, 2010 at 4:09 PM Report abuse
Caveman said...
SoPoYo said... Fine, carry your guns but why a confederate flag?? Ignorant! *&^*&^*&^ Why not post that in the Atlanta Journal?
April 25, 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse
SL said...
Jesus god...a whole mess of villages called! All you constitutional experts, go back and read the entire 2nd amendment. Now tell me what our forefathers were thinking. Were they thinking you needed to be in a militia to bear arms? Or if you owned arms you would required to be part of the militia? Or any old yahoo could buy and sell guns to anyone?
April 25, 2010 at 4:35 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
Pablo,Leave the trailer,go to the pharmacy and get your medication.
April 25, 2010 at 4:58 PM Report abuse
windjammer said...
To me carrying a gun in the open in public is nothing more than an ugly- vulgar display of arrogant-self absorbed machismo vanity. Why have an unneccessary pro-gun rally in Back Cove? In a state that is already pro-gun? Moreover-I am also pro-gun-have been for most of my life but I do not feel the need to carry one in the open to prove it-especially not in Maine. These gun "party" people on Back Cove or anywhere else will look rediculous-gurranteed-and so will the restr of the state. Hey-tourists! Welcome to the State of Maine. The way life should be. By all means-do bring your gun-just in case..........
April 25, 2010 at 5:19 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
SL said... Jesus god...a whole mess of villages called! *** Who you calling an idiot? Just goes to show you who the idiot is. This is what our forefathers were thinking, according to the most recent and relevant supreme court decision: " There seems to us no doubt, on the basis of both text and history, that the Second Amendment conferred an individual right to keep and bear arms." Period. Not withstanding certain narrowly crafted restrictions, this right will remain with us for an eternity. Anyone who asserts otherwise might either be considered a liar or an idiot.
April 25, 2010 at 5:20 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Need? Windblower... are you content to allow others to determine your "needs" and what you decide you wish to express? If not, then you have no voice over what others' needs are, and their expression of those. This is exactly the problem we're having today with governance. Too many people know far too much about what others' needs are. The seek to make them all the same, and duly provide their own answers to those assumed needs. It's a high office you and others have elected yourselves to indeed. It must be a heavy responsibility. Better to take care of your own "needs" and leave others' to them.
April 25, 2010 at 5:27 PM Report abuse
Zipty-DooDah said...
Hey, obtuse and accusatory anti-gun whacko's, NOW HEAR THIS: the rally was low key, well attended and FUN. No one got shot (unless one counts all the cameras that were utilized!) There were no racist remarks, no treasonous comments nor actions nor anything else the thought police on this blog sniveled and whined about. WE WERE RIGHT, YOU WERE WRONG. Here's to the Constitution.... BTW, there were around 125 pro-Constitution firearms supporters there, and only about 15-20 "counter protesters." Komrade Skolnick wasn't even in sight...wow. Kudos to the PPD for their professionalism, decorum and easy-going manner.
April 25, 2010 at 5:46 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Great job ladies and gentlemen! Great job! Sounds like everyone had a good day, and a good time. Hope the burgers and dogs were cooked well, and the soda was cold! I also hope you shared with the officers present as well. If they were interested, the counterprotestors should have been invited to partake in the food as well.
April 25, 2010 at 5:49 PM Report abuse
henryelm said...
Gee sounded like a peaceful event til I heard channel 13's coverage of it( focusing ONLY on the negative for ratings) !!! Both sides did great "sound bites'.
April 25, 2010 at 6:34 PM Report abuse
MagneticPole said...
Liberals want the government to force you to think like them. Go fry your a**.
April 25, 2010 at 7:59 PM Report abuse
reddevil974 said...
last i check all the attendees came armed and not one person was shot or killed blows a hole in the gun control peoples claims that many guns in one place no shootings wow i think this was great we should exersize our rights period wow i think we have to worry about criminals because law abiding citizens arnt doing any thing wrong i would rather have 40 "dumb hillbillys " as some of the writers might represent than on anti gun liberal who will just give in to criminals and think they need to be reformed or we need to talk to them
April 25, 2010 at 9:08 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
Yet another NON-EVENT over reported and carried on about in the PPH threads.....
April 25, 2010 at 9:43 PM Report abuse
ACHILLES said...
BenMatlock and Oldguy, Sorry you are both wrong. Statistics (and reality) refute your uninformed opinion about armed criminals targeting armed citizenry. In fact it proves to be just the opposite. Countless FBI studies that interview criminals on how they select their prey show that the weak, switched off, and most likely UNARMED are selected. They steer a wide path around anyone that they believe will prove a challenge let alone being armed. At a base level we are nothing but animals and the law of the jungle prevails.
April 26, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
Oak said...
Sad that the word liberal, which once meant an advocate of freedom, now means an advocate of government control though restrictive laws.
April 26, 2010 at 8:32 AM Report abuse
ACHILLES said...
Henryelm - the tactics you site about situational awareness are practiced by every security and military professional, who is worth a dam*, in the world. It is the switched off ostriches such as yourself who make a nice fat victim. Keep it up though, rather you than me.
April 26, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
Page5Girl said...
mr. belanger has to keep his gun at mommy and daddy's house. i wonder if he gets to take his binky with him to school.
April 26, 2010 at 9:14 AM Report abuse
grumblestilt said...
All four guns used at Columbine were bought at gun shows where background checks were not required. Take action! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/783295701?z00m=19840525
April 26, 2010 at 10:39 AM Report abuse
INobody said...
I am an NRA Life Member who has allowed his carry permit to lapse because Portland is not a sufficiently dangerous place to warrant going armed. What may be perfectly Ok in rural parts of Maine is not necessarily so in a small city. Openly carrying a sidearm sends a very disturbing message to people who have immigrated to Portland to escape daily intimidation and armed violence. Walking around with a weapon is visually equivalent to walking around with a clenched fist, indicating fear of attack, which leads one to ask what are these folks so damn afraid of anyway?
April 26, 2010 at 10:41 AM Report abuse
Page5Girl said...
and what was the purpose of the gun toting white men displaying the confederate flag at this event? is this suppose to help build support for your cause?
April 26, 2010 at 10:53 AM Report abuse
LePageVaVOOM said...
Who is trying to "take away" their guns? What is REALLY GOING ON here is that you have a bunch of far right Republicans, uneducated, afraid of change, who feel the world is moving by without them. They're scared and never learned to actually explore issues intellectually, they're too rural for that, and so they strap on their guns and prance around. It's futile and they're actually embarrassing themselves. This kind of thing is also a measure of how far right the Republican party really is. Keep moving to the right, Republicans, and "purging" your party of all but the real kooks. You won't get elected and that's good for everyone, because when Republicans win everyone loses. As for the Confederate Flag, it's amazing the irrational associations these loons make, don't you think?
April 26, 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse
LePageVaVOOM said...
It's so nice to see members of the Timothy McVeigh wing of the Republican party out enjoying the sunshine. I mean, they're usually cowering in their basements afraid of criminals, the government, and reality.
April 26, 2010 at 12:22 PM Report abuse
LePageVaVOOM said...
IN, You hit the nail right on the head. It's like going to a classical music concert dressed in a bikini. It might be legal, but what is the point? These loons are suffering from an irrational fear of everything, and a need to feel "powerful." Two things that don't go well together, but seem to be addressed by the idea that any fool can strap on a gun and claim to be something other than a loser, if only from the ability to issue an implied threat of violence.
April 26, 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse
MkE0QUxM said...
@ INobody -- Portland isn't a sufficiently dangerous place? http://www.homesurfer.com/crimereports/view/crime_report.cfm?state=ME&area=Portland Interesting... It's people like you (who live in a bubble and think nothing will ever happen to them) that get robbed, assaulted, etc and then wonder "How did this happen to me?" People who openly carry firearms do not live in a world of fear. They live in a world where they accept the fact that violent things can happen to them and they are willing to protect and defend themselves and their loved ones.
April 28, 2010 at 11:35 AM Report abuse