Maine Republicans are decrying an effort by some Democratic lawmakers urging Kittery Trading Post to stop selling assault-style rifles.

In an open letter supporting the Maine store, Republican Rep. Heidi Sampson says Democratic lawmakers are harassing the business. WCSH-TV reports a letter from three York County Democrats sent their own letter earlier this week asking the Kittery Trading Post to stop selling assault-style rifles like larger national stores.

Reps. Dean Rykerson, Patricia Hymanson and Lydia Blume also asked the trading post to raise its gun purchasing age to 21.

Kittery Trading Post has maintained silence on the issue, and declined to comment Thursday.

State Sen. Ron Collins, another signatory to the Republican letter, said “we are ready to defend Maine’s heritage and our valued homegrown businesses.”

This story was corrected at 8:30 p.m. on July 6, 2018. The Associated Press erroneously reported Sen. Ron Collins’ title and incorrectly attributed a quote by Rep. Heidi Sampson to him.


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