AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature approved sweeping gun safety legislation including background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases and criminalizing gun sales to prohibited people before adjourning Thursday morning, nearly six months after the deadliest shooting in state history.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and the Democratic-led Legislature pressed for a number of gun and mental health proposals after the shooting that claimed 18 lives and injured another 13 people, despite the state’s strong hunting tradition and support for gun owners.
“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 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 center in Lewiston.
Judge hits the tiebreaking single in 9th as Yankees rally to avoid sweep with 6
Baby Ru: Police contact whānau after three months of silence
US regulator grounds Boeing MAX 9 indefinitely, flights cancelled
Doggy ballgowns, surveillance tech and cloning services for sale at China pet fair
Tesla's new mega factory project in Shanghai to start construction
Chilean vet helps dogs, cats and rabbits injured in wildfires
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan gets 10
Japan launching new visa for digital nomads but will it be enough to solve its economic woes?
Jim Harbaugh takes fans inside his RV! New Chargers coach, who earns $16m
Couple waits for categorisation of flood
Alaska Airlines has brief ground stop due to technical issue
Person arrested after threat plunges Tauranga Hospital into five