ME Lawmakers Considering Bill to Allow Section 8 Tenants to Own Guns

Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would require landlords who receive public housing subsidies to allow tenants to keep guns in their rental units.

The bill was prompted by Harvey Lembo, a retired lobsterman in Rockland who was threatened with eviction after shooting an intruder. Supporters of the bill at a public hearing before a legislative panel Wednesday said the measure would grant low-income people who live in subsidized housing the same gun rights as more affluent people.

Opponents said private property rights of a landlord and sanctity of contracts takes precedence over Second Amendment rights. Bill Harwood of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition said the Legislature should let the market sort out the issue rather than impose new rules that would be unfair to landlords. (AP)