Democratic Gov. Janet Mills of Maine recently signed a package of gun safety legislation into law, following the deadliest mass shooting in the state’s history. The new laws include expanding background checks for private gun sales, strengthening the state’s “yellow flag” law, criminalizing the transfer of firearms to prohibited individuals, and enhancing mental health crisis care. The governor emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to improve public safety while respecting the state’s traditions of gun ownership and outdoor heritage.
The new law does not mandate universal background checks but requires them for individuals advertising guns for sale online. These sales must be checked against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, similar to commercial sales at licensed firearm dealers. Changes to the state’s yellow flag law allow police to directly obtain a warrant to remove guns from individuals in a psychiatric crisis, streamlining the process and overcoming previous hurdles in enforcement. Despite opposition from Republicans, supporters of expanded gun control laws see the approval of these measures as a significant victory.
Opponents of the legislation, particularly the expanded background check provision, argue that it will only lead to confusion among law-abiding citizens. Maine House of Representatives Republican leader, Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, voiced ongoing support for strengthening the yellow flag law and mental health services but opposed the bill due to concerns over enforceability. Advocates for the new laws, on the other hand, celebrate the progress made and hope for the implementation of additional gun measures passed by lawmakers in Maine.
The governor’s office highlighted the strengthened legal standards for prosecution and penalties, aiming to deter individuals from selling weapons to prohibited buyers. The new approach aims to maintain the transfer of firearms to family members or close friends while incentivizing checks against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for private, unadvertised sales. These changes are part of a broader effort to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety in Maine, following the tragic events of the mass shooting that prompted the legislative action.
In the aftermath of the mass shooting, Gov. Mills also proposed creating a new violence and injury prevention program requiring the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to collect data from various sources to inform public policy decisions. The establishment of a network of crisis centers, building upon existing facilities in Portland and central Maine, aims to provide support and resources for individuals in crisis. The governor’s comprehensive approach to addressing issues related to gun violence and mental health reflects a commitment to promoting public safety and well-being in the state of Maine.
