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Maine Lawmaker submits concealed weapons proposal

AUGUSTA (WGME) -- A Maine lawmaker has submitted legislation that would allow qualified school district employees to carry a concealed weapon on campus.


Senator David Burns' (R - Washington County) proposal is in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, in which 20 children and six adults were killed.


The bill includes strict guidelines, including: those who wish to carry a concealed weapon must complete a firearms training course consistent with the one required for new law enforcement officers.  They must also attain certification and complete an annual re-certification. 


Participants must also undergo a psychological exam that is equivalent to the testing required of law enforcement employees.


Those who wish to complete the process, and qualify to carry a concealed weapon would also need approval of the local governing board, the superintendent and the principal.  Those school officials and local law enforcement would be the only ones authorized to know the identity of the concealed weapons carrier.


After being submitted, Senator Burns' bill will likely go before the Maine Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs committee before it is considered by the full Legislature.


However, with a Democratic controlled Legislature, it's not clear how far the bill will go.

Maine Lawmaker submits concealed weapons proposal

Monday, January 21 2013, 05:55 PM EST

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