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An Act To Make Possession of a Firearm with an Altered or Obscured Serial Number a Class C Crime
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §705, as amended by PL 1979, c. 129, is further amended to read:
§ 705.Criminal simulation
 
1.    A person is guilty of criminal simulation if:
 
A. With intent to defraud, hethe person makes or alters any property so that it appears to have an age, rarity, quality, composition, source or authorship whichthat it does not in fact possess; or, with knowledge of its true character and with intent to defraud, hethe person transfers or possesses property so simulated. A violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime; or
 
B. In return for a pecuniary benefit;:
 
(1) heThe 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) heThe 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. HeThe person knowingly makes, gives or exhibits a false pedigree in writing of any animal. A violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime; or
 
D. With intent to defraud and to prevent identification:
 
(1) HeThe 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) HeThe 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 firearm. A violation of this subparagraph is a Class C crime.
 
2.     Criminal simulation is a Class E crime.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.