Maine State Repub Rep Incident colors weapons debate

AUGUSTA — Some legislators have grown wary about further debate this session over changes to state gun control laws in light of a bizarre incident during which a Maine lawmaker allegedly pointed a loaded gun at another man.

Although there is no direct connection between the recent arrest of Rep. Frederick Wintle, R-Garland, and a handful of Republican-led bills aimed at loosening Maine’s concealed weapons permit laws, the emotional connection is inevitable.

House members on Wednesday voted down LD 658, a bill that would allow Maine residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit except in specific places, such as schools. Another bill, LD 446, which would grant a law enforcement officer or retired law enforcement officer who lives in another state to carry a firearm in Maine without a concealed weapons permit, passed in the House.

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Still, many lawmakers, Republicans included, are uncomfortable with the idea of bringing guns into the State House. Even Crafts said if security were improved, he likely would abandon his bill to allow concealed weapons inside the Capitol.

http://www.timesrecord.com/articles/2011/05/26/news/doc4dde8d79d8ddb594988610.txt

Exclude Republican lawmakers from the category of people who can leqally carry firearms.

I'm sure we'll miss that 2-tiered class system...