Similar bills restricting untraceable firearms have failed in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, but the political ground has shifted since last year’s mass shooting in Lewiston.
gun safety
Gun rights advocates file lawsuit challenging 72-hour waiting period
Maine’s new 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases was expected to face a court challenge similar to those playing out in other states.
Advocates say red flag gun safety petition got big boost on Election Day
The Gun Safety Coalition of Maine wants to make it easier for family members to petition a court to take firearms away from loved ones deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Maine’s yellow flag law has been used much more often in year since Lewiston mass shooting
Meanwhile, gun reform advocates are collecting signatures to force a ballot initiative that would ask voters to approve a stronger red flag law.
Sen. King’s gun reform bill stalls in Congress
Despite being introduced last November in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting, the GOSAFE Act has not gotten a hearing in the Senate.
Georgia school shooting stirs debate about safe storage laws for guns
The Georgia school shooting marked the 30th mass killing in the U.S. so far this year.
Opponents of waiting period on gun purchases vow to challenge law in court
Critics of the new law hope to block it in court, saying it is unconstitutional. Supporters of the waiting period are confident it would be upheld.
Mills allows waiting period for gun sales to become law; vetoes bump stock ban
The governor let the 72-hour pause pass without her signature, saying she was ‘deeply conflicted.’ She vetoed a second bill that would have banned rapid-fire devices.
In a historic legislative session, some big reforms for Maine still fell short
Some approved legislation still awaits action by the governor, and lawmakers will return for at least one more day to address vetoes.
Mills signs bill to expand background checks for gun purchases, update ‘yellow flag’ law
The newly signed law, which the governor proposed in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting, expands requirements for background checks to include private, advertised sales and also updates the existing yellow flag law.