US state of Maine approves sweeping gun legislation after deadly Lewiston shooting kills 18
- The bill boosts background checks for private sales of guns and make it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from having guns
- The October 25 shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston prompted lawmakers to act to prevent future attacks
The Maine Legislature approved sweeping gun safety legislation including background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases and criminalising gun sales to prohibited people before adjourning Thursday morning, nearly six months after the deadliest shooting in state history.
“Maine has taken significant steps forward in preventing gun violence and protecting Maine lives,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, who praised lawmakers for listening to their constituents.
The governor’s bill, approved early on Thursday, would strengthen the state’s yellow flag law, boost background checks for private sales of guns and make it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from having guns. The bill also funds violence prevention initiatives and opens a mental health crisis receiving centre in Lewiston.
The Maine Senate also narrowly gave final approval on Wednesday to a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks that can transform a weapon into a machine gun.
However, there was no action on a proposal to institute a “red flag” law. The bill sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross would have allowed family members to petition a judge to remove guns from someone who is in a psychiatric crisis. The state’s current “yellow flag” law differs by putting police in the lead of the process, which critics say is too complicated.
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Lawmakers pushed through the night and into the morning as they ran up against their adjournment date, which was on Wednesday. But it didn’t come without some 11th-hour drama. Lawmakers had to approve a contentious supplemental budget before casting their final votes, and didn’t wrap up the session until after break.