Legislative Update: Hunters beware!

3 mins read

With 2,000 bills on the calendar in this session I knew it wouldn’t take much searching to find some absurd ones meeting these criteria: one, unenforceable; two, doubtful constitutionality; and three, alien to Maine’s rural character.

Sen. Nancy Sullivan (D – York) has introduced LD 985, an act requiring any private sale or loan of a firearm to go through an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensed) dealer. This means that if you want to sell your private property, or loan a hunting rifle to your neighbor, LD 985 would now require you to go find an FFL dealer to facilitate the sale or loan. I guess at the end of the season you would have to reverse the loan just to get your rifle back.


Rep. Lance Harvell, District 89

Recent Supreme Court decisions seem clear in their incorporating the second amendment and holding that the people have the right to bear arms. LD 985 flies in the face of this court’s recent decisions, making it of doubtful unconstitutionality.

It is also unenforceable. How many people loan rifles to neighbors to use during hunting season or to remove some rodent eating their gardens? People would, like whenever unenforceable laws are passed, just go about business as usual and go from law-abiding citizens to law breakers. Like most laws based on faulty logic, the unintended consequences will have opposite effect of the intent.

This proposed law also does not strike to the heart of the problem which is how weapons are ending up in the hands of criminals. One thing is certain, the same people who are obtaining guns outside the law will not follow this method to obtain them and as a result the law abiding are punished and the criminals remain untouched.

Finally, this LD does not take into consideration the character of rural Maine and its outdoors traditions. We live in a mostly rural state that has a history of hunting and shooting sports. This bill would adversely affect and alter that tradition that many of us hold dear.

The good news is that there seems to be little support for LD 985. Senator Sullivan could only find one co-sponsor, but even so, call your legislator and let him or her know your thoughts.

If you have any questions, Lance Harvell can be reached at lanceharvell@hotmail.com or call 778-2981.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

28 Comments

  1. Lance,
    As I write this response, I am aware of many more important things that I should be doing. As the representative of Industry and Farmington, shouldn’t you be spending your time on fiscal issues, educational issues, environmental issues and a host of other things, rather than tracking down bills you deem as unsupported and incapable of being passed or enforced? How is this helping your constituents, who desperately need your help?

  2. I would like to assume that he is doing this as well. You are right, Barb, that these are the most pressing issues. Let’s ask Lance to continue this type of communication with his constituents (which is his civic duty), but to next time forgo the sensational non-passable bills on the table and get to the heart of what counts right now — education, environment, economy and health care.

    The flaw in this letter really was that he is our legislator, wrong audience, right idea (public discourse).

  3. Had he authored this incredibly ignorant bill, there would be something to complain about. I hardly think this is the only issue on Lance’s mind.

  4. Barb,
    He will be dealing with bill, he is doing a job. No matter what Lance does, the leftwing nutjobs will still tax us to death and not curb spending. This IS helping his constituents, so Barb why dot you vote for another Democrat next time and see where thats gets you? More money out of your pocket.

  5. Lance,
    I would like to say that I appreciate what you have said and agree that this LD should not pass. How anyone could think that your time was not well spent is ridiculous. It is your job to represent your constituents when voting on all bills, not just a select few. I propose that your letter will save time for all legislators, if the people they represent contact them and let them know how they feel. There will be no time wasted on debating with each other before a vote.
    I would also like to add that I agreed with the article you wrote about paying the hospital debt.

  6. I support Lance’s efforts….atleast he reads the bills. Anyone notice that the reps in Augusta that introduce anti everything laws are from the population centers in Maine….Lance represents us from the rural sections that is Maine!

  7. Trust me this is not the only thing on my mind. We just found another HOLE in the budget this puts the entire budget at risk. I will be writing on these and other issues. Lance

  8. I think this is a very important issue. Our funding fathers put the right to bar arms as the 2nd amendment to the constitution. That’s number 2 on their list of priorities!! And it should be high on our list as well, because it is constantly being attacked by the left wing. Everyone should take note as to who Obama appointed as the regulatory czar (Cass Sunstein), someone who believes that hunting serves no purpose other then sport and should be banned, and clearly attacks the 2nd amendment in his lectures.

    Lance, you should submit a bill to subsidize gun ownership. At least that right is in the constitution.

  9. Lance,

    I support you efforts on this bill. Augusta needs to wake up! They are trying to run every aspect of Maine citizen’s lives!

    The legislature needs to REDUCE SPENDING! Period!

    Leave our lives and how we live alone.

  10. KUDOS to you Lance!!

    Finally…a representative that looks out for the Maine way of life. Yes, there are a lot of other things that are important but now that Lance has made us aware of this ridiculous bill, it won’t be quietly “slipped” in passed among other bills, as so many are. As an avid outdoor enthusiast and hunter, I value the right to bear arms and want to be kept informed.

    I know Lance will keep us current with ALL legislation.

  11. The time to kill off bad legislation is when it is still in the initial stages. Exposing bad ideas to the public BEFORE they gain traction is essential. THANKS LANCE.

  12. I wish all legislators would do this. Maybe by exposing these rediculous bills and their sponsors, they will think twice before introducing them in the future. This will cut down considerably on the number of bills introduced, saving taxpayers time and money.

  13. Here we go. This is what I was afraid would happen if Mr. Harvell won. It is citizens selling their “private property” (along with our insatiable market for drugs in the US) that is causing people to be gunned down with impunity in broad daylight in Mexico (the country, not the town) and some of our major cities. I wish our “funding” fathers had given us the right to “bar” arms.

  14. Dear Kippy,

    When was the last time you saw a Mexican citizen in Farmington Maine? Went to the gun show in Lewiston this past Saturday….again, no Mexican citizens. Please check your stats with the ATF…their stats show that very few guns come from the USA…most are smuggled through South America. CHECK! Before you open your keyboard. I am wondering WHY, YOU are not MORE worried about US citizens.

    A Vet

  15. This is part of a NY Daily News article from August 2008. Do you have a more recent source identifying illegal gun origin in Mexico?
    US: Most illegal guns in Mexico come from US
    THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Tuesday, August 12th 2008, 10:54 AM
    EL PASO, Texas — Nearly all illegal guns seized in Mexico come from the United States, the head of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Monday.
    ATF acting director Michael Sullivan said investigators have traced 90 to 95 percent of the weapons found in Mexico to the U.S. Generally, only law-enforcement officers or military personnel can legally possess guns in Mexico.
    Sullivan, speaking at the fifth annual Border Security Conference at the University of Texas at El Paso, said the weapons are being traced as part of an effort by the U.S. and Mexico to stop the illegal flow of guns south…

  16. Ma’am,

    Since when is a newspaper a document of truth? Please check the bias reporting for the past 50yrs of all newspapers. Also please be advised that the heads of any current govt agency is going to support the current administration…it is called job security. Because a weapon is stamped with a US brand does not mean it was sent from here…please grow up and smell the truth and do not blindly follow big brother. I am sure you have or will bring up your children to search out the truth in all their endeavors, so why don’t you?
    There is plenty of truthful info on the internet to debunk this 90percent myth. Hey! You took the newspapers word as law so why not what others have to say? Or are your blinders on too tight?

    A Vet

  17. With all due respect guns don’t kill. Let me repeat GUNS DON’T KILL. Guns don’t load themselves, guns don’t flip off the safety, guns don’t aim at someone, all these are done buy individuals. It is the person behind the gun that is pulling the trigger, I do have a problem where a felon is caught with a firearm and nothing is really done to him. Let’s make some law where if you commit a crime with a gun involved the person gets 10 years mandatory. If he is selling drugs and guns are involved punish them, not slap them on the wrist. Why are we punishing people that have guns that have no record, no felonies or criminal past. Do the have the right to bear arms or are they guilty because they own guns? When they go and take away my guns or someone else who have hunted all their lives to protect society are the criminals that have the guns and are using them, going to give up theirs. NO let me repeat “NO”. We are just kidding ourselves lets fix the judicial system and take these people that commit the crimes off the streets.

  18. Dear A Vet,

    I only asked you where your information was, I did not say that it was incorrect. I only quoted the acting director of the ATF under Bush. He was quoted in the press. I was assuming that if he was quoted incorrectly that he would have asked for a clarification. I am doing my best to research issues before making assumptions. I can only do my best. If you have more information or websites which you think would help educate me and the public please make them available.

    My mind is open and my eyes are open. In the end I may still disagree with you, but it will not be because I did not consider your information or your point of view. Please treat me with the same respect.

  19. so you think gun control is the answer!
    this list of facts may help change your mind!

    A LITTLE GUN HISTORY
    In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

    China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

    Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.

    You won’t see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.

    Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

    Take note my fellow Americans, before it’s too late!

    The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.

    With guns, we are ‘citizens’. Without them, we are ‘subjects’.

    During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!

    If you value your freedom, please spread this anti-gun control message to all of your friends.

  20. Barb,

    Good for you. At least you are willing to research. Many will not. Again…my respects.

    A Vet

  21. I’m not sure how many people really believe that all the dissidents who were “rounded up and exterminated”
    would have used guns to defend themselves if they had possessed them. After all, I’m sure most of them had other weapons to hand. And the Cambodian example is a bit ridiculous, if the dates are correct.

  22. Kippy,

    Instead of pooh-poohing someone else’s information, why don’t you look it up yourself and then make your comment?

    You might as well say the Holocaust never happened. This is why things like this pass because of the ignorance of those that ask questions but don’t bother looking for themselves but would rather wait to hear something that makes them feel good.

    Here’s one link to get yourself off your rear end and start looking for yourself

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia_under_Pol_Pot_(1975-1979)

    Have a great day!

  23. Hutch you are master of the absurd with your stats.

    A vet You scoff at others documentation, but did not offer any sources to document your claim. except “internet’. Perhaps even a Fox report

  24. I’m not saying the genocide never happened. What I was saying was that, if the gun control that’s somehow supposed to have caused it happened almost 20 years before the genocide (with a war in between), I think it’s a bit far-fetched to say the two things are closely related.

  25. Kibby

    It doesn’t matter when the laws were enacted, it matters when the government uses those laws to take advantage of the citizens. We (Americans) may control our government, but government wants to control us!

  26. So Hutch you are saying that once elected our govt officials want to control us? Is Lance in that category? Or just the ones who disagree with your views?

    Most ideas that legislators get come from a voter in their district asking them to do put something in
    The brainstorm submitted by Wright Pinkham about studded snow tires and front wheel drive cars comes to mind

  27. Bruce,

    My general premise is that government by its very nature wants to control its citizens. I feel like this nanny state is out of control. The twist lies in the fact that we elect our citizens to run the government. Obviously i don’t want anybody who doesn’t represent my views in government, and i would say that applies to everyone. That’s why we cast our votes! We win some and we lose some. But, I hate losing, unlike most people, who merely accept it.

    Yes, Lance is part of Government now, and i have a feeling he represents my views more then the other guy would have. I do think that government is to big, especially in Maine and out of the 2000 something laws introduced in the Maine legislature, there probably are not more then 3 or 4 that are actually worth a discussion. I appreciate Lances efforts to bring these proposed laws to the attention of the people, because I feel most lawmakers would rather not let there constituents know what is going on in government.

  28. I am happy that Lance is in the Government. We need someone to take back Maine from the Great Unwashed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.