New Maine Gun Control Law Aims to Prevent Future Mass Shootings and Improve Mental Health Services

Governor Janet Mills signed legislation on Friday in response to the Lewiston mass shootings in October. The bill expands background checks for advertised sales of firearms and makes it a felony to sell a firearm to someone prohibited from having one. Additionally, it allows law enforcement to seek a protective custody warrant directly from a judge and remove weapons if there is a risk of harm.

The new law also establishes an Office of Violence Prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It allocates funds for crisis receiving centers in Lewiston, Penobscot County, and Aroostook County. Governor Mills emphasized that violence is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach, and the measures in this law are not extreme or unusual.

Two other gun-related bills are still pending action by Governor Mills. These include a 72-hour waiting period between the purchase and pick up of a firearm, as well as a ban on bump stocks that modify weapons to shoot more bullets more quickly. These measures are part of a comprehensive effort to address gun violence and improve mental health services in the state.

Governor Mills signed legislation on Friday aimed at preventing future mass shootings in Maine following the Lewiston mass shootings in October. The bill expands background checks for advertised sales of firearms and makes it illegal to sell a firearm to someone who is prohibited from owning one.

Additionally, law enforcement officers will be able to request protective custody warrants directly from judges and remove weapons if they believe there is an imminent risk of harm. The new law also creates an Office of Violence Prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which will allocate funds for crisis receiving centers in three counties.

Governor Mills emphasized that violence is complex issue that requires multiple solutions, stating that these measures are not too extreme or unusual. Two other gun-related bills remain pending with Governor Mills’ signature – including a 72-hour waiting period between purchasing and picking up a firearm, as well as banning bump stocks that increase firing speed.

Overall, these measures aim towards reducing gun violence and improving mental health services across Maine state.