AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills signed into law Friday a ban on paramilitary training in Maine, a proposal inspired in part by a neo-Nazi developing a compound in rural Penobscot County last year.
The bill from Rep. Laurie Osher, D-Orono, outlaws “unauthorized” paramilitary training and requires prosecutors prove a person was intentionally or knowingly teaching or practicing the use of firearms, explosives or other techniques to cause “civil disorder.”
Mills spokesperson Scott Ogden confirmed Friday afternoon the Democratic governor signed the bill into law. Its prospects were less certain earlier this month, when the House of Representatives barely gave it final passage in a 72-71 vote. Numerous Democrats in both the House and Senate joined Republicans in opposing it, though the majority party still had enough support to move it forward.
Last year, Christopher Pohlhaus, the founder of a white supremacist group, developed a training ground and compound for his followers in rural Springfield. But he sold the property and said it was too dangerous to build after a Bangor Daily News story revealed its location. In August, about two dozen neo-Nazis also rallied near the State House in Augusta.
Osher and supporters said the bill — which was amended to require a higher threshold to prove a violation and make violations a Class D misdemeanor instead of the initially-proposed Class C felony — would prevent extremist groups from organizing for the purpose of terrorizing marginalized residents, while opponents argued it would infringe on constitutional rights and get weaponized against those with contrasting political views.
Ogden only confirmed Friday the governor signed the bill. Mills has not commented further on the measure.
