The Firearms Policy Coalition has sent a letter to Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows after a news outlet reported that one of the group's posts to the platform X was reported to the Maine State Police. 

The post in question was from December of last year, and was a short and pithy response to an interview where Mills indicated she was "open" to the idea of banning semi-automatic rifles after the mass murder in Lewiston in October, 2023: “Hey @GovJanetMills, Three words: F*** you. No."

Tthat might have offended some of governor's staff, but it hardly rises to the level of a threat. But according to The Maine Wire's Steve Robinson, some of Mills' staffers were so bothered by the tweet that they alerted police. 

 In a Dec. 20 email — subject line “Gun tweet” — Mills’ press secretary forwards a link to the offending X post, noting that the post was “making the rounds,” and another staffer immediately forwarded the post to the Maine State Police employee responsible for protecting the governor. 

It’s unclear from the emails why exactly Mills’ staffers would construe a stalwart defense of American civil liberties by a nationally renowned civil rights organization as a matter worthy of elevating to her security detail.

To be clear, neither FPC nor Robinson allege that Mills herself even saw the FPC post, much less agreed that it should be forwarded on to the state police. And the law enforcement agency doesn't appear to have acted on the FPC tweet, which is one small positive. 

In their letter to Mills and Bellows, the group says it "understand[s] from a recent news report that State personnel forwarded our online communications to your State Police," so it doesn't sound like anyone with FPC was contacted by MSP after the tweet was posted. Given that there was no threat communicated, that's the appropriate outcome, but FPC is right to remind the governor that freedom of speech is just as important as the right to keep and bear arms. 

Dear Governor Mills and Secretary Bellows:

FPC is a human rights advocacy organization working to create a free world. We understand from a recent news report that State personnel forwarded our online communications to your State Police. Our approach may leave little to wonder. But please know that we take First Amendment-protected rights just as seriously as we do others.

You must surely be aware that our X post responding to Governor Mills’s discussion of an immoral ban on protected arms is clearly protected speech as there is absolutely no uncertainty about the law regarding this form of speech. If not, some education is in order. Naked authoritarianism, such as efforts to chill free speech, is not acceptable to FPC and our members. We strongly encourage you to learn more about protected speech and arms.

Best,

Brandon Combs, President

P.S. We are sending a copy of this letter to your State Police Commissioner to save you thetrouble this time. cc: Michael J. Sauschuck, Commissioner

I know that FPC's approach to social media rubs some gun owners the wrong way, but even those who'd prefer less four-letter commentary from the Second Amendment organization should be bothered by the over-the-top response to its post on X by the governor's staffers. Here's hoping Mills' employees have gotten the message, or at least have undergone some training to help them determine the difference between protected speech and an actual threat going forward.