The Maine Legislature has approved sweeping gun safety legislation, including background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases, and criminalizing gun sales to prohibited individuals. This action comes nearly six months after the deadliest shooting in state history, which claimed 18 lives and injured 13 others. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and the Democratic-led Legislature pushed for these measures after the shooting, despite the state’s strong hunting tradition and gun ownership. The House assistant majority leader, Rep. Kristen Cloutier, emphasized the need for meaningful action to make communities safer from violence.
The approved bill will strengthen the state’s yellow flag law, enhance background checks for private gun sales, and make it illegal to recklessly sell a gun to someone prohibited from owning firearms. Additionally, the legislation includes funding for violence prevention initiatives and the opening of a mental health crisis receiving center in Lewiston. The governor is expected to sign this bill, along with two others—establishing a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases and banning bump stocks that can convert a weapon into a machine gun.
Despite these advancements, there was no action on a proposal for a red flag law, which would have allowed family members to petition a judge to remove guns from individuals in a psychiatric crisis. Lawmakers faced challenges in passing the legislation, including approving a contentious supplemental budget before casting final votes. The shooting in Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city, served as a tragic backdrop for the legislative session, with survivors expressing mixed feelings towards the proposed laws. Some survivors welcomed legislative action, while others, like Ben Dyer who was shot five times, were skeptical of the proposals.
Critics, including some Republican lawmakers, accused Democrats of using the tragedy in Lewiston to push through their gun control agenda. Senator Lisa Keim expressed concern that the proposed legislation had always been on the agenda and was being exploited in response to the shooting. However, Democrats defended their actions, stating that constituents had urged them to take steps to prevent future attacks. Governor Mills emphasized the importance of taking action to address the pain and suffering caused by gun violence, asserting that doing nothing was not an option. The passage of these gun safety measures reflects an ongoing debate about balancing Second Amendment rights with the need for public safety.
