Posted by Bruce Bourgoine who blogs at Dirigo Blue and Kennebec Blues.
The Waterville, Maine Morning Sentinel is reporting that earlier today:
Republican Frederick Ladd Wintle, 58, faces charges of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon for pulling a gun on Morning Sentinel photographer Michael Seamans, of Sidney.
The Bangor Daily News also has specific information about today’s episode.
This incident alone should serve to halt the Maine GOP effort to pass LD 932, "An Act To Allow Concealed Weapons in the State House". Republicans have also been pursuing another measure, LD 1347, "An Act Relating to Locations where Concealed Weapons May Be Carried" which would allow guns to be carried into state parks, historic sites, and other properties where such activity is banned
Wintle represents Athens, Charleston, Dexter, Garland, Harmony and Ripley, Maine. Below are photographs of Wintle and his weapon from the Waterville, Maine Police Department.
Coincidentally, Maine Governor Paul LePage, a strong proponent of rolling back any and all gun regulations and a tea party favorite, is the former Republican mayor of Waterville.
It will indeed be interesting to see if this unfortunate incident in the middle of strident debates about guns in our society and the Maine GOP push to make such weapons more prevalent in every possible area beyond reason wakes up Maine voters to send a new and saner message to Augusta.