AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – The Maine Legislature passes sweeping gun safety legislation that includes background checks for private gun sales, a waiting period for gun purchases, and criminalization of gun sales to prohibited persons. It closed on Thursday morning, about six months later. Worst mass shooting in state history.
Democratic Governor Janet Mills and Democratic-led Legislature Asked for numerous suggestions on guns and mental health Despite the state's strong hunting tradition and gun ownership, after a shooting that claimed 18 lives and injured 13 more.
“Maine has made great strides in preventing gun violence and protecting Maine lives,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, praising lawmakers for listening to their constituents. did.
The governor's bill, approved early Thursday, would increase the state's powers. yellow flag law, would strengthen background checks for private gun sales and make it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a person who is prohibited from owning a gun. The bill also funds violence prevention efforts and opens a mental health crisis reception center in Lewiston.
The Maine Senate also narrowly gave final approval Wednesday to a 72-hour wait for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks, which convert weapons into machine guns.
However, no action was taken on the proposed establishment. red flag law. The bill, introduced by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, would allow family members to petition a judge to remove guns from a person in mental health crisis. The state's current yellow flag law is different in that it puts police in control of the process, which critics say is too complicated.
Lawmakers worked through the night and into the morning in preparation for Wednesday's closing day. But it wasn't without its 11th hour drama. Lawmakers had to approve a controversial supplementary budget bill before taking a final vote, and did not adjourn until dawn.
The Oct. 25 shooting by an Army reservist in Lewiston, Maine's second largest city, provided a tragic backdrop for Congress.
Police were alerted by family members that the suspect was becoming paranoid and had access to a weapon. He was hospitalized for two weeks last summer while his unit was training. And his best friend, a fellow reservist, warned him that the man was going. “To snap and go on a shooting spree.” The gunman committed suicide after the attack.
Survivors of the shooting had mixed emotions. Some called for legislative action. People like Ben Dyer, who was shot five times, were skeptical of the proposed legislation.
“Sick people did sick things that day. And Congress and politicians are trying to use that to pass their agenda,” Dyer said, adding that while criminals ignore suggestions, they follow the law. He argued that it is natural for gun owners who want to be hurt by the proposal. He added that the state already had a yellow flag law, but law enforcement officials did not use it to prevent the tragedy.
His sentiments echoed those of Republicans who accuse Democrats of using the tragedy to play with public sentiment in order to pass controversial legislation.
“My big concern here is that gun control, which has always been on the agenda, is moving forward. Now we're using the tragedy in Lewiston to say that there's nothing new here. They're trying to force a vote on it when it doesn't exist,” said Republican Sen. Lisa Keim. “It's the same old idea that has been rejected year after year.”
But Democrats said they are pleading with voters to do something to prevent future attacks. They said ignoring their pleas would be an abdication of responsibility.
“Inaction is not an option for the communities, individuals, and families who are currently suffering immeasurable pain, and for our state,” the governor, a former prosecutor and attorney general, said in late January of the proposal. I mentioned this when explaining the overview. She said this in her State of the Union address. Those in attendance responded with a standing ovation.