Fresh on the heels of removing nearly all restrictions on who can carry concealed weapons in Maine, proponents now look to liberalize the law even further.

Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Auburn) has introduced a bill, LD44, “An Act To Lower the Age Requirement To Carry a Concealed Handgun.” The act addresses a complaint that Gov. Paul LePage had with the earlier easing of the state’s concealed carry laws; that it should not have been limited only to those age 21 and above.

LD44 would lower the age for carrying a concealed handgun on your person or in a motor vehicle to 18. The current law already allows concealed carry by active members of the U.S. armed forces and National Guard and honorably-discharged veterans between the ages of 18 and 21.

When Brakey managed to have the concealed weapons rules relaxed a little over a year ago, it removed requirements that individuals wishing to conceal deadly weapons on their person first have criminal and mental background checks and obtain a permit. Responsible gun ownership groups decried that move, noting that it removed any requirement or suggestion that those carrying concealed weapons have any training.

By comparison, state law requires that anyone in Maine who desires a hunting license must first take a hunter safety course.

Basically, Brakey’s proposal would allow teens who are still seniors in high school to carry concealed weapons with no training or requirement that they show familiarity with the laws governing where and when that is appropriate. While concealed weapons are prohibited on school property, lowering the concealed carry age undoubtedly will result in more firearms being taken onto school property – if not in classrooms, then in vehicles in the parking lot.

There’s a reason that Maine prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Most below that age generally are believed to lack sufficient judgment and maturity to use alcohol responsibly. There is no reason to think adult judgment or maturity would be exercised any differently when it comes to carrying concealed weapons. While those of evil intent have never been stopped by rules or regulations, keeping concealed weapons out of the hands of minors undoubtedly will help prevent inadvertent mishaps and tragic circumstances.

We urge the legislature to reject lowering the age from age 21 to just 18, permitting teens to carry deadly concealed weapons.