How shocking it sounds — the Maine Legislature voted against a bill that would make genital mutilation of girls a crime in Maine. Specifically, it would be Class B crime, which would give a 10-year Maine prison term.

But wait — there is already a federal law: 18 U.S. Code § 116 “Female Genital Mutilation” which gives these criminals up to five years in federal prison.

The bill was misguided for several reasons:

• Proponents claimed that the Islamic/Muslim religion requires FGM. Old prophetic opinions (the Hadith) are not the “unerring” Koran. Most Muslim countries now have constitutions or laws that forbid FGM. Recent cases in Minnesota were within a highly secretive, tyrannical cult.

• Maine Muslims already know that FGM can result in prison and that Child Protective Services would remove their daughter from home.

• No girl is known to have been genitally mutilated within Maine. Perhaps there have been no cases. Perhaps law enforcement has not been finding or investigating them. Perhaps law enforcement should be pursuing adults who arrange FGM out of state or out of country.

There is no evidence that a new law or unnecessary regulations are needed.

Alice Haines, Auburn