“I imagine this note has or will make its way to you. It is in regards to the recent email that focused on different workshops, including the below mentioned Cleaning and Maintaining Your AR,” a January 22 email to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso began. That, along with a cache of related correspondence was included in response to a Freedom of Access Act Request filed by this correspondent to determine why the class was “abruptly cancelled… less than 24 hours after it had been announced.” The information requested included:
- IDFW’s notification email, reportedly sent to approximately 400,000 recipients, announcing the class.
- All communications received, either for or against cancelling the classes.
- Identities of requesting citizens, or, if disallowed due to privacy laws, relevant organizational and/or political affiliations, if known.
- All internal departmental correspondence discussing the citizen responses.
- All correspondence with other state agencies and officials regarding citizen responses and justifications for cancellation.
- Evidence or data that gun safety classes make the public less safe, or that withholding them makes the public safer, used by IDFW to make its determination.
- Advice from IDFW or other Maine state government counsel showing cancelation of the class would not violate the law mandating gun safety education.
- The internal notification authorizing cancellation of the class.
- The statement issued by IDFW notifying the public the class was canceled.
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Assistant to the Commissioner Christl Theriault responded on March 28 with “7 separate emails with multiple attachments to each.” It turns out I was not the only one requesting the information and there were too many records to be included on one email.
“We had a similar request for records just before yours,” she noted. “Staff involved conducted a thorough search of their emails, communications and any records they might have pertinent to the other request… I believe we had captured anything that a search related to your specific request would find.”
Because the prior request had already been paid for, processing charges were waived.
The response was comprehensive and so many different files were included, and consolidating, copying, and pasting all of them into one accessible file was tedious, but they have been faithfully reproduced into a file embedded below.
State emails warn that “Correspondence to and from this office is considered a public record and may be subject to a request under the Maine Freedom of Access Act. Information that you wish to keep confidential should not be included in email correspondence.” As such, I did not suppress identifying information from the embedded file.
The file includes internal correspondence regarding the development of training program promotional materials, and internal and external correspondence regarding the program and reactions to it. You’ll also note that the records are often not in order and there is a lot of repetition of same material and emails to wade through.
Here’s the announcement that precipitated the hubbub:
“Did you know that regular cleaning and maintenance of firearms is essential for consistent and reliable function? Learning this skill will help to prevent jamming or malfunctions. This workshop is great as a refresher or for beginners to learn the safest techniques of firearm care. If you have your own AR Firearm, please bring it along with the owner’s manual, an empty magazine, and your cleaning kit. If you haven’t purchased one, there will be an AR on site for practice. Please do not bring ammo to this class.”
For the purposes of this report, we’ll focus on “pro” and “con” emails reacting to that announcement from members of the public, and then the department’s rationale for canceling the AR safety training class. Comments will appear as submitted and are not edited for spelling.
Citizens who were opposed to the AR class:
From a legislative aide in response to a complaint:
Last night, David Smith called the Senate Majority Office and left a voicemail expressing some concerns about a blurb in the recent Maine Fish and Game Newsletter. In particular, there is a blurb that describes an instrucational class that people can sign up for to learn about how to properly clean their assault rifles (weapons). In light of the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, David is very upset that the State is circulating information like this. Is there anyone from IFW who works on the newsletter that might be able to either (a) respond to this concern or (b) speak with David directly?
From Dana Morse, Bowdoin ME:
I just saw the notice for winter workshops sponsored by IF+W and I have to say, it hit me in the worst possible way to read about how to clean one’s AR-15 and handguns. Sure, they are billed as safety and all that jazz, but….really?? NOW?? The words ‘tone deaf’ might just about cover it.
In all sincerity-
From Tony Cowles, Resident of Maine:
When I opened my email last Friday (1-19-24), I was disturbed and dismayed to learn of the ‘Winter Workshops’ offered by the Main Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (i.e Cleaning & Maintaining Your AR). Mostly I was alarmed to see a workshop on how to properly clean an automatic assault rifle, especially in light of the shooting massacre that happened in Lewiston less than 90 days prior. Although the email was intended to update Mainers about the great outdoor activities available in our state, the email felt like an endorsement of these types of weapons. Not only did I find it insensitive to those who may have a relative or friend directly impacted by Lewiston shooting, I am also disappointed that Maine sees these assault rifles as a means of sportsmanship. I completely understand and respect that people like to hunt in Maine, but I feel that it’s time for our state government to introduce a different narrative that warns about the danger and lethality of automatic assault rifles. I urge you to stop the glorification and encouragement of these highly dangerous and unnecessary weapons.
From Betsey Foster, Greenwood:
Thank you for cancelling the AR assault weapon classes. It is a step in the right direction to recognizing these as assault weapons of war and not guns for hunting. Three cheers for you, IFW.
Internal email:
Just got off the phone with this gentleman, he is also very concerned about the messaging that went out in yesterdays news update from the Department regarding the AR guns. Could someone please give him a call? He asked to speak with the Commissioner.
From Democrat Sen. Chip Curry:
Hello Commissioner, A constituent reached out to me asking why MDIFW was marketing workshops on cleaning you AR? He didn’t think anyone could legally hunt with an AR. His suspicion was the department was trying to make a political statement unrelated to hunting. Is this an MDIFW newsletter? If so, can you help me to understand why the dept is focusing on weapons not associated with hunting?
From Jonathan Robbins, Searsmont, Maine:
I received an email from DIFW advertising “Winter Workshops”. One of these workshops was “Cleaning and maintaining your AR rifle”, scheduled for February 15. I am a lifelong deer hunter and own several rifles and shotguns. I have never in my life seen a hunter in the woods of Maine using an AR style rifle for hunting. I do understand these rifles are legal to possess and use, but considering the controversial nature of this style of weapon in today’s society, I wonder why the DIFW is sponsoring a workshop on maintaining these weapons. Why not offer a workshop on cleaning and maintaining rifles that sportsmen commonly use for hunting; like bolt action, lever action, pump action or even semi-auto sporting rifles that are used with 5 shot capacity magazines (as required by law for hunting). AR style rifles were not developed for hunting big game animals. They are designed for and most commonly used by the military. Considering the DIFW’s purpose of wildlife management, I believe it is not a good message at all to associate AR rifles with hunting.
And his follow-up:
I appreciate your timely reply to my concerns and applaud your decision to cancel the event. I must say though that I don’t agree the event was poorly timed. My feeling was it never should have been offered. Teach people how to clean a sporting rifle, not an AR.
From Shawn Mahar:
I want to voice my concern/objections to your cleaning and maintenance class specifically for AR style weapons. I consider myself an advocate for gun rights, I’ve grown up in Maine. I understand that Maine IFW does not make the gun laws for our country. I don’t believe anyone should be able to own AR style weapons, and I certainly disagree with IFW hosting classes specifically pertaining to the most controversial firearm ever made. I will have to reference the mass shooting in Lewiston a few short months ago. I feel it’s a bad look for an organization that does so much good for our state. I felt compelled to speak my mind. I respect and appreciate all this organization does as an avid fly fisherman in the western mountains of Maine.
Citizens who objected to the cancellation of the AR class:
Mike Schildroth, Lewiston:
I understand that this is sensitive… Censoring educational programs is not the answer. To shut down a publicly paid for opportunity because of a few complaints perpetuates the “Cancel” culture which is proving to be a slow growing society cancer. Citizen opportunities being stripped because of Crimal actions, is punishing the wrong crowd. My ask is that IFW recognizes this and reconsider.
From Jonathan Maher:
I just want to say that I’m saddened to hear of your Depts. decision to cancel the AR cleaning/shotgun class. It’s a sad state of affairs when the loudest minority manage to get something taken away from the rest of us. You know one of the biggest critiques of firearm culture is gun owners need training and education. Well here that was offered & all of a sudden apparently the state ..should not be providing training and education? I’m at a loss for words, shame we bend the knee to a handful of screeching Karen’s.
From Robert Leyshion, jr – Lifetime hunting license holder in Maine:
I just read with total disappointment that this AR class was discontinued due to the whining of a few liberal anti gun fruitcake moon bats. So you cave. We…the hunting /shooting public outnumber by far all of these left wing nut bags, but you people pander to them like a bunch of scared little girls. Come on guys grow a set, be bold and stand up for legal Maine gun owners. Or has the Maine game commission gone woke too? Super disappointed in Solon.
From Sean Hatch:
I hope you folks haven’t been dodging tomatoes too badly in response to the recent cancellation of your firearms cleaning course. My only comment is to say that when I received the original email to sign up for the course, I said out loud to my fiancé “I love these guys, they are pragmatic and impartial and they care about outreach and education as much as any agency I’ve known (having lived in both Florida and Massachusetts in the past).” So I guess after seeing that the class was cancelled due to a sensitive 0.003% of recipients ( https://ift.tt/npxS4RJ ), I “wasn’t mad, but I was disappointed”. I hope the feedback you’ve received has been enlightening and that a different perspective is taken in the future. Education and diligence are better responses to the ambivalence surrounding firearms in society.
From Alex Hackert:
You should not have cancelled your class on AR-15 maintenance. This class would promote the safe and lawful use of firearms, by cancelling it you have made a statement that there is no safe and lawful way to possess an AR-15. This is not only decisive but it is wrong and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
From Billy Claggett:
So someone complained and your dept folds like a house of cards, really? Who gives a crap let them complain not penalize everyone else that enjoys shooting sports Every time you give in they take an inch and slowly erode people’s freedoms and liberties Next you’ll be out of a job cause their will be no Dept needed because they have folded your position
From Damian Belanger:
I really wish your department hadn’t caved to a “dozen” people complaining about a cleaning class with America’s most popular rifle. 12 people ruin a learning and safety opportunity for well intentioned people? all for optics with the public im sure? Really?
From Alan Greenberg:
I assume this was cancelled due to anti gun political pressure.
A handful of antis and Fudds repeating tired old lies was enough to get the Department to cave. As for their excuse that it was too soon after the Lewistown shooting, the question not being asked is what does a known nutjob going ballistic after being left alone by fearful authorities have to do with peaceable citizens and their lawfully owned rifles– and will the time ever come when prohibitionists don’t object to such training? If the maniac rammed his car into a group of people, would Maine cancel drivers ed classes?
There’s plenty more to go through for those who have the time, and many lies told by the objectors that observant readers will have spotted, but this piece is long enough so let’s sign off with one last observation.
One of the documents listed in the FOAA request was “The internal notification authorizing cancellation of the class.” We can find documents noting it was canceled, but the department is not a democracy and no order to all hands was included in the response. Still, we know who made the decision, as admitted by Director Camuso in an email wherein she simultaneously attempted to deny culpability as she washed her hands of the matter:
“My apologies. The program was scheduled and advertised without my knowledge or approval. I have addressed the issue with staff and cancelled the program. I do apologize for our very clear error.”
The entire FOAA responsive records packet is embedded below:
Maine AR Classes Canceled Because a Handful of Fudds and Prohibitionists Squawked by AmmoLand Shooting Sports News on Scribd
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
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