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An Act To Enhance Self-defense by Removing Restrictions on the Carrying and Use of Weapons
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §11212, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 477, §9, is further amended to read:
 
1. Prohibition.   The following provisions apply to shooting from a motor vehicle or motorboat or possessing a loaded firearm or a crossbow in a motor vehicle.
 
A.  A person may not shoot while in or on a motor vehicle or motorboat or while in or on a trailer or other type of vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle except:
 
(1) A person may hunt migratory waterfowl from a motorboat in accordance with federal regulations;
 
(2) Paraplegics and single or double amputees of the legs may shoot from motor vehicles that are not in motion; and
 
(3) A person may shoot from a motorboat if that boat is not being propelled by its motor.; and
 
(4) A person may shoot from a motor vehicle or motorboat in defense of life or property.
 
B.   A person may not, while in or on a motor vehicle or in or on a trailer or other type of vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle, have a cocked and armed crossbow or a firearm with a cartridge or shell in the chamber or in an attached magazine, clip or cylinder or a muzzle-loading firearm charged with powder, lead and a primed ignition device or mechanism, except that a person who has a valid Maine permit to carry a concealed weapon may have in or on a motor vehicle or trailer a loaded pistol or revolver covered by that permit.
 
C.  A person may not possess a wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of paragraph A or B, except as otherwise provided in this Part.
Sec. 2. 25 MRSA §2001-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24, is repealed.
Sec. 3.  25 MRSA §2001-B  is enacted to read:
§ 2001-B. Threatening display of dangerous weapon
A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law, display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.
Sec. 4. 25 MRSA §2004, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §3 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Display of dangerous weapon.   A person who violates section 2001-A2001-B commits a Class D crime.
Sec. 5. 25 MRSA §2004, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §3 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 6. 25 MRSA §2005, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §4 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.
 
SUMMARY
This bill:
1. Removes the prohibition on having a loaded firearm or crossbow in a motor vehicle for a person other than a holder of a concealed weapons permit;
2. Provides the exception that a person may shoot from a motor vehicle or motorboat in the defense of life or property;
3. Removes the prohibition on concealing a dangerous weapon; and
4. Removes exceptions to the law prohibiting the carrying of a concealed dangerous weapon.