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SAM Executive Director David Trahan thinks the law creates potential trouble for Maine hunters. He also sees the Amish argument as disingenuous: “What’s the difference between blaze orange and bright red?” he mused.

That’s part of the problem. The law does not define “bright red” where blaze orange worn by hunters can be measured as legal or illegal.

Trahan went on to say that hunters are trained to be on the lookout for orange. He also believes the law didn’t get much notice when passed and there is a potential for danger now that deer season is on.

He points out that any hunter who doesn’t like blaze orange could reject it for the less visible red and say it is for religious reasons.

“I don’t think they made their case,” Trahan said.

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David Trahan, SAM’s executive director, told Guns.com Wednesday groups often require memberships with other organizations, particularly the NRA, to access grants and other resources necessary to build and operate a safe gun range. He said the alliance doesn’t force a membership clause in exchange for assistance — it was the Standish Fish and Game Club’s decision alone.

“We never asked for it,” he said. “We do have the resources to do it right. A lot of these clubs are run by volunteers … but no other entity comes close to having the resources and support like the NRA.”

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David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, said he does not favor a state law requiring firearms to be locked in a home when not in use.

“Firearms in the home are for personal protection,” Trahan said. “If it’s locked up in a gun cabinet at 2 in the morning, you’ve placed a barrier to getting access to that firearm.”

Trahan is also critical of gun locks, which he said can be knocked off a firearm and are less safe than lock boxes or gun safes.

Trahan has advocated for a state-sponsored tax credit to help Maine residents pay for gun safes, which he said is a more feasible option than mandating locking firearms, which he said would be unwieldy and difficult to enforce.

“We’re not ready to go down that road,” Trahan said. “I think it would be extremely expensive; it would be a huge mandate. It’s too far over the top, particularly when you can do this through public education and incentives.”

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