‘Black Rifles Matter’ sign in Maine resort town stirs controversy

By Ken Shepherd - The Washington Times - Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Quipping that a local newspaper’s editorial calling for an assault-weapons ban was a “trigger” for him, Linc Sample of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, erected a “Black Rifles Matter” sign on his property as a form of protest.

Mr. Sample, a licensed firearms dealer, compared concerns Black Lives Matter has with constitutional rights of black Americans being abridged because of racial prejudice with gun rights being abridged because of the aesthetics of a gun’s appearance.

“They’re being targeted because of their appearance. Fair enough. So’s my rifle,” Mr. Sample, who is white, told New England Cable News (NECN). “If anything, [Black Lives Matter activists] ought to be flattered that I used the phrase.”

NECN reported Monday that the local chamber of commerce has received complaints from tourists, some of whom reportedly cut their vacations short.

“People are ignorant. They shouldn’t be putting things out like that,” Paul Mayor, who was visiting from Connecticut, told the station. “It’s taking a shot obviously at Black Lives Matter.”

Town officials said Mr. Sample has all the proper permits for a sign of that size.

“There isn’t much the town can do about it,” said Thomas Woodin, Boothbay Harbor’s town manager, NECN reported.

Mr. Sample also has his share of sympathizers.

“I think they’re doing the right thing,” tourist Jeremy Plasse told NECN. “Massachusetts has a ban right now, and I think they should lift it.”

According to data from the 2010 U.S. Census, only 6 residents of Boothbay Harbor — population 1,086 — are black.