LD 166
pg. 1
LD 166 Title Page An Act To Prohibit Firearms in a Courthouse LD 166 Title Page
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LR 984
Item 1

 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become
effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as
emergencies; and

 
Whereas, current law does not proscribe possession of firearms
in courthouses; and

 
Whereas, potentially inflammatory and controversial matters are
resolved in courthouses; and

 
Whereas, it is necessary to provide for the safety of citizens
who come to Maine's courthouses seeking justice and those who
work therein; and

 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create
an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and
require the following legislation as immediately necessary for
the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,

 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

 
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §1058 is enacted to read:

 
§1058.__Possession of firearm in courthouse

 
1.__A person may not possess a firearm in a courthouse.

 
2.__This section does not apply to a person who is a law
enforcement officer acting in an official capacity.

 
3.__A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class D
crime.

 
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble,
this Act takes effect when approved.

 
SUMMARY

 
This bill makes it a crime for an individual who is not a law
enforcement officer acting in an official capacity to possess a
firearm in a courthouse.


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