Democrats continue to violate law

Republicans push for statutorily required public hearing

One of the most important duties of the Legislature is listening to the input of members of the public and considering that input in the legislative process. To achieve this, the Legislature holds public hearings where individuals can come and have their voice heard. Unfortunately, a few members of the legislative majority are refusing to hold a statutorily required public hearing on the “reg flag” citizen-initiated gun control proposal because they don’t want anybody to be able to point out flaws in the legislation they support.

Hello, I’m Senator David Haggan of Penobscot County. I have the honor of serving the citizens of Senate District 10; and I sit on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

On March 27^th of this year, two days after the First Special Session of the 132^nd Legislature began, the Secretary of State transmitted the citizen-initiated gun control measure to the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Shortly after, LD 1378 was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

The Maine Constitution and Maine Revised Statutes are very clear on the requirements for how the Legislature is supposed to handle citizen-initiated legislation, including the timeline for the Legislature to act and the requirement for a public hearing. Statute also further specifies that the public hearing requirement may only be waived by a two-thirds vote of both chambers.

Although these explicit requirements exist, the Judiciary Committee Chairs are refusing to hold a public hearing. This is a blatant violation of the law, a disgrace to the Legislature and an insult to the people of Maine.

This type of disrespect of the process is nothing new to the Judiciary Committee. Whenever dangerous anti-gun legislation is proposed, the Chairs do everything in their power to silence the voices of their opposition. Just last month, they would not let Dave Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, speak at the request of one of the Republican lawmakers on the Committee even though they regularly invite gun control activists to speak at length.

Let me be very clear. This is “red flag” legislation and it is extremely dangerous. It will force law enforcement to confiscate firearms from individuals who have broken no laws and without any semblance of due process.

Maine has an extreme risk protection order on the books. The “yellow flag” law protects the public, allows unwell individuals to receive the help they need and protects due process. This new proposal simply aims to erode the rights of Mainers to keep and bear arms.

While it appears calls for the Presiding Officers to overrule the Judiciary Committee Chairs’ illegal actions have fallen on deaf ears, Legislative Republicans and Second Amendment stakeholders will do everything in our power to give Mainers a voice, whether through the Legislature or through the courts.

Again, this is Senator Dave Haggan of Penobscot County. Thank you for listening to this week’s Republican Radio Address and have a great weekend.

Senator David Haggan is serving his first term representing Senate District 10, which consists of nine communities in Penobscot County and three communities in Hancock County. He previously served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives; and he sits on the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee and Judiciary Committee.