High court affirms gun owners’ rights Mainers find victory in decision

BANGOR – The reactions of Maine gun advocates and opponents to a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday overturning a handgun ban in Washington, D.C., were mixed with each side claiming a partial victory.

The landmark 5-4 ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller upheld a lower court ruling that struck down a ban on handguns in the nation’s capital, which had been in place since 1976. Maine has no such ban, but the decision also addressed the broader issue of gun owners’ rights and control.

Rick Lozier, store manager at Brewer gun retailer Van Raymond Outfitters, said he was happy with the decision but stressed that its implications may not be seen for months.

“Too many people equate firearms with negative things,” he said Thursday from the store, adding that the decision could open up the possibility for anti-gun legislation and increased restrictions. “For me, the Second Amendment is pretty clear.” Emery Zambo, president of the Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club, said it was unfortunate that the matter ever went to the Supreme Court to begin with, and there already are enough restrictions.

“It seems like there has been a lot of compromise, but only on the side of gun advocates,” he said Thursday from the club on Meadow Road in Hampden. “I don’t think the anti-gun people will ever give up on this issue.”

William Harwood, a director with Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence, called the initial decision disappointing but said the rest of the 157-page ruling was very positive.

“The court went out of its way to say that a broad regulation of firearms is OK under the Second Amendment, that the right is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever,” Harwood said Thursday by telephone. “I think it removes the Second Amendment cloud over this debate. This is not a big win for the National Rifle Association or gun control.”

The Second Amendment is among the most debated of the Bill of Rights and has prompted political and emotional discussions for many years. Thursday’s decision essentially clarified the meaning of the Second Amendment stipulating that individuals have a right to own firearms for personal use but that the law also allows for reasonable restrictions on access.

Three of the four members of Maine’s congressional delegation who could be reached Thursday praised the Supreme Court decision.

“Throughout my public service, I’ve consistently supported the Second Amendment rights of our citizens,” U.S. Rep Michael Michaud said in a statement. “Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms the right of all law abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.”

Fellow congressman Tom Allen called the ruling “a fair and balanced decision that explicitly affirmed the rights of states and communities to pass common sense gun safety laws, such as those that prevent felons and the mentally ill from purchasing firearms.”

He added in his statement, “Hunting is a tradition that is important to Maine people and vital to our economy. This decision affirms the right of Maine’s citizens to own firearms for self-protection, sport and collection.”

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has consistently opposed legislation that would restrict the right to own guns, according to her spokeswoman, Jen Burita.

“She believes that the Supreme Court ruled in accordance with the Constitution,” Burita said in a statement.

Attempts to reach Sen. Olympia Snowe on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Gov. John Baldacci said in a statement Thursday that the ruling was specific to D.C. and its implication on Maine residents isn’t clear. But, he said, “The people of Maine have voted to strengthen civil liberties as they relate to firearms under the Maine Constitution.”

Gun advocates such as Roger Goode of Hampden, who was target-shooting Thursday at the Hampden Rifle & Pistol Club, argued that gun ownership is fundamental and said he even held a concealed weapons permit for many years.

“If people don’t come out here and shoot or get permits, the rights might go away,” he said.

Speaking on the issue of public safety, Goode said while patting his .45 caliber handgun, “I feel my house is safer than the guy’s down the street.”

Lozier at Van Raymond Outfitters agreed.

“People are genuinely concerned,” he said. “More and more are coming in buying guns for personal protection.”

Harwood stressed that gun safety advocates such as Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence have never sought a ban on all guns, just restrictions, and Thursday’s decision helped clarify those restrictions.

“They outlined where guns can be prohibited. They mentioned who can own or possess a firearm. They talked about the type of firearms you can own and that private citizens do not have a right to own certain automatic weapons,” Harwood said.

“I’m confident that once the dust settles in the next few years, the overwhelming majority of gun control laws considered will not be in violation of the Second Amendment.”

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