An Act To Make Possession of a Fireann with an Altered or Obscured Serial Number a Class C Crime
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1160
Committee Amendment CA_A_S165 (Senate)
Amends: 17-A MRSA §705

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" f1 "to S.P. 412, L.D. 1160, Bill, "An Act To Make 
Possession of a Fireann with an Altered or Obscured Serial Number a Class C Crime" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §705, as amended by PL 1979, c. 129, is further amended to 
read: 
§70S. Criminal simulation 
1. 
A person is guilty of criminal simulation if: 
A. 
With intent to defraud, he the person makes or alters any property so that it 
appears to have an age, rarity, quality, composition, source or authorship wfl:Hffi that it 
does not in fact possesst or~ with knowledge of its true character and with intent to 
defraud, he the person transfers or possesses property so simulated. A violation of 
this paragraph is a Class E crime; eF 
B. In return for a pecuniary benefitt~ 
(1) he The person authors, prepares, writes, sells, transfers or possesses with 
intent to sell or transfer, an essay, term paper or other manuscript knowing that it 
will be, or believing that it probably will be, submitted by another person in 
satisfaction of a course, credit or degree requirement at a university or other 
degree, diploma or certificate-granting educational institution. A violation of this 
subparagraph is a Class E crime; or 
(2) he The person takes an examination for another person in satisfaction of a 
course, credit or degree requirement at a university or other degree, diploma or 
certificate-granting educational institution. A violation of this subparagraph is a 
Class E crime; 
C. He The person knowingly makes, gives or exhibits a false pedigree in writing of 
any animal. A violation of this paragr'aph is a Class E crime; eF 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S.P. 412, L.D. 1160 
D. With intent to defraud and to prevent identification: 
(1) He The person alters, removes or obscures the manufacturer's serial number 
or any other distinguishing identification number, mark or symbol upon any 
automobile, snowmobile, outboard motor, motorboat, aircraft or any other 
vehicle or upon any machine, firearm or other object, other than a firearm. A 
violation of this subparagraph is a Class E crime; or 
(2) He The person possesses any such object or any such item after that number 
has been altered, removed or obscured. A violation of this subparagraph is a 
Class E crime; or 
E. With intent to defraud or to prevent identification: 
(1) The person alters, removes or obscures the manufacturer's make, model or 
serial number on any firearm. A violation of this subparagraph is a Class C 
crime; or 
(2) The person possesses a firearm altered as set out in subparagraph (1) or 
intentionally or knowingly transports any such fireann. 
A violation of this 
subparagraph is a Class C crime. 
2. 
Criminal simulation is a Class E crime.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. 
Current law provides that a person who with the 
intent to defraud and to prevent detection alters or removes the manufacturer's make, 
model or serial number from a firearm commits the Class E crime of criminal simulation. 
To be guilty of that crime, the person must have committed the act with the intent to 
defraud and to prevent identification. This amendment changes the law to require either 
the intent to defraud or the intent to prevent identification, but not both, as elements of the 
crime. It also makes this crime a Class C crime as is provided for in the bill. 
This amendment also provides that a person who possesses an altered firearm with 
the intent to defraud or to prevent identification or intentionally or knowingly transports 
such a firearm with the intent to defraud or to prevent identification commits the crime of 
criminal simulation. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/31/15 
.J!WaC! 
LD 1160 
LR 1917(02) 
An Act To Make Possession of a Firearm with an Altered or Obscured Serial Number a Class C Crime 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A't{S -/£95') 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes new Class C and Class E crimes; increases correctional and judicial costs. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
LR1917(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1