PORTLAND (AP) – Violence involving guns is on the rise in Maine, and illegal drug trafficking and use are major reasons why, law enforcement officials say.

State Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara said Mainers should be concerned about the rise in gun crime and violence, which he said are not limited to the cities.

“This is found in rural Maine and suburban Maine as well as in our cities and towns,” said Cantara. “This has the potential of erupting anywhere in Maine.”

The number of bank robberies in Maine so far this year is 19, more than any year in recent memory. Public Safety Department spokesman Steve McCausland said that in almost every case, robbers showed a gun or claimed to have one.

There have also been armed holdups at coin-operated laundries, doughnut shops, convenience stores and other businesses, McCausland said. The number of armed robberies statewide increased 25 percent to 318 from 2000 to 2005, though not all those crimes were gun-related.

In Portland, the number of armed robberies involving guns almost doubled from nine in 2000 to 17 so far this year, and the number of overall gun crimes climbed from 31 to 47 over the same period.

Police say the growing problem with cocaine, crack cocaine and prescription drugs is driving the rise in gun crime.

“There are a lot of drug dealers we know that flaunt it and make sure people know they have a gun and know they’re armed because they want people to have the fear of them and respect that goes along with being armed,” said Portland Lt. Vern Malloch.

Last summer, Portland police shot and killed an armed man while investigating a drug deal.

Last Thursday, two men were sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after pressing a gun to an undercover officer’s neck in an attempt to rob him.

In South Portland, police have been involved in two shootings in two months, prompting police to equip themselves with more powerful firearms as part of their daily patrols. Portland police have done the same.

“If there’s one thing we’re not going to let happen in our community, we’re not going to be at a disadvantage,” said South Portland police Chief Ed Googins.

Maine continues to have one of the lowest crime rates in the country despite having one of the highest rates of gun ownership. Much of the gun ownership is tied to the state’s hunting heritage.

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