Rights are rarely taken away in a sweeping, public fashion. Rather, they are eaten away at little by little, without fanfare or notice, until people stop expecting to be able to exercise those rights at all.

Our constitutional right to bear arms is up against this very sort of attack, and the concealed carry permit waiting period in Maine is a perfect example of how little legislative roadblocks can add up to infringement.

The wait time for a Maine resident to get a concealed carry permit for their firearm is now nearly five months, according to recent news reports, despite a law requiring that all residents who have lived here for five years or more must receive a response to their application within 30 days.

State Police say they’re simply overwhelmed, with 4,500 applications awaiting processing and 75 to 150 new ones coming in each day. Only one full-time staff person handles these applications, with some help from other staffers, so it’s no surprise they can’t keep up.

While this delay is not due to any political maneuvering, the effect is the same: breaking the law and denying people access to their rights.

We’re glad to see the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee addressing this problem, along with the Maine State Police, who are expected to make a presentation to the committee by January.

The State Police are working on a full report related to concealed carry permits in the state, since the delays are not the only issue at hand; the permits are handled by the state for those who live in small towns and for out-of-staters, while bigger municipalities do the permitting for their residents. This split approach means that concealed carry permit identification cards are not uniform and the process isn’t either.

While all citizens in Maine have the right to “open carry” a firearm, of those who carry, most prefer to keep their weapons under wraps so as not to cause a disturbance or make themselves a target for theft or violence. To do so, however, requires a permit, which takes processing. Applicants must pass a safety course and have their criminal history and mental health reviewed by the state.

Many constitutional hard-liners, such as Rep. Aaron Libby, R-Waterboro, believe this very process is a violation of our right to bear arms. Libby proposed “constitutional carry” legislation early this summer to allow concealed carry without a permit by anyone legally allowed to own a gun. Libby pointed out, in part, that while it’s legal to carry a gun on your hip, as soon as your jacket falls over it, you’re breaking the law. His bill failed by only one vote, 74-73, in the House.

While the vote may show a turning tide of opinion, for now it appears that the majority of people feel that the current permitting process is a compromise that allows people to exercise their right while giving everyone else the peace of mind that those who carry will be safe with their weapon.

Both camps, however, should recognize that it’s unacceptable for the current permitting process to be in violation of the law, delaying people from getting their permit for months, even after they have jumped through all the legislated hoops. We sincerely hope more staffing will be considered to handle these permits, for as long as they are required, and that the process can be streamlined.

It’s unclear what exactly has made concealed carry permits more popular as of late, but many point to widespread fears that the Obama administration or Maine Legislature will cut into gun rights, particularly in the wake of the deadly Newtown, Conn. school shooting last December.

Whatever the cause, requests for these permits are up, and staffing needs to be adjusted to accommodate the demand and meet the 30-day limit as required by law.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.