In reading the Aug. 15 editorial, “A state of broken promises, large and small,” I was left feeling unsettled with the conclusion that waiting a few extra months for carry permits should be classified as an inconvenience as opposed to a problem.
The editorial is a clear depiction of the state’s current financial crunch and left me perplexed as to my disposition. I then realized that, in the article, there exists a premise and assumption that the conceal carry permit system itself was necessary.
To simply remove the required permit to carry concealed weapons would not only alleviate the frustration of the citizens who are unable to obtain their permits on a timely basis, but would also serve to free up a significant amount of resources at both the state and city level. Those additional resources could then be utilized to focus on other problems.
With that potential solution, I believe the true discussion can begin, which, at its core, is a discussion on guns and, to a lesser extent, whether Maine citizens should have to go through an eight-hour course before carrying concealed weapons.
We cannot point to the problems this state faces (either morally or financially) cumulatively as justification why the state can violate its own law (approval within 60 days of these permits). That is especially the case when the law is so critical to people’s basic rights.
We need to begin moving forward through solutions and leave any and all broken promises in the past.
Matthew Bennett, Sabattus
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