In defense of Crafts' Bill (LD 658)

State representative Dale Crafts has brought a bill (LD 658) in our state government to relax a lot of the restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon.  First let me paint for you the dark and dismal picture painted by the anti-weapons advocates.  In the opinion of those against the bill this kind of legislation would lead to: coercion through the threat of violence, a wild shooting at a high school football game, children playing with guns in the streets totally devoid of respect for the weapon, and would lead to an increase in convicted criminals and disgruntled lovers carrying weapons with the intent to use them.  It's that last part that highlights my support of this bill: Intent.  Anyone in the state of Maine can purchase any kind of firearm they like already.  Don't believe me?  1.) Find yourself a convicted felon; 2.) Get a copy of Uncle Henry's; 3.) Find a firearm, any firearm, like the one pictured, which I found for less than $350; 4.) Purchase weapon from owner, end of transaction.  While the felon is now in violation of state law by possessing the weapon, the lack of background check and process you went through to purchase that weapon were perfectly legal, only the choice of buyer makes this action illegal.   In spite of relaxed regulations such as these, Maine's per capita firearm violence rate is less than half of the national average.  So, what stops someone, even a convicted violent offender, intent on using a firearm in an aggressive manner, from concealing and using the weapon for violence?  The answer is: absolutely nothing.  Anyone intent on causing harm with a weapon will do so, regardless of the law.  The issue is not whether they carried the weapon openly or concealed, but that they intended harm when they set out.  So, why keep carrying concealed a crime?  What does it prevent exactly?  Whether a gun was carried openly or concealed should be an issue for trial, an aggravating factor in the commission of a crime, not a crime itself.  We allow hunters to concealed carry loaded handguns for protection against bear, moose, and coyote without a permit, why should you be required to get a permit to carry one from one end of Portland to another, where your chances of a violent encounter are significantly increased, if your intent is nothing more than protecting yourself.  This bill would not allow you to carry your weapon into a school or school property, or at a liquor selling establishment, or into any state owned structure or vehicles, contrary to what anti-weapon activists are claiming.  What this bill does do is reduce the cost of obtaining a permit, change the assumption that if you haven't had gun safety in 5 years you are so dumb you forgot how to be safe, and streamline permit applications for concealed carry.  I believe in the ability and personal responsibility of the people of the state of Maine, I believe that the vast majority of gun owners are respectful of their weapons and of the laws regarding violence, and I don't believe the current laws do anything to stop those who would perpetrate violence with a firearm, just like marijuana laws haven't done much to stop people intent on smoking it from doing so.  That's my opinion, I welcome yours.