Gov. Mills Signs Gun Safety Legislation 

Governor Janet Mills has signed a series of gun safety bills into law, following the deadliest mass shooting in state history. The new legislation includes measures such as expanding background checks for private sales of weapons, bolstering the state's “yellow flag” law, criminalizing the transfer of guns to prohibited individuals, and expanding mental health crisis care.

During her State of the State address, Governor Mills emphasized that taking no action was not an option. This came after an Army reservist with an assault rifle killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston on October 25. The bills faced opposition from Republicans who accused Democrats of exploiting the tragedy to push forward previously defeated proposals.

Addressing concerns, Governor Mills stated that the new law represents progress without infringing on rights. It aims to enhance public safety while respecting the state's traditions of gun ownership and outdoor heritage. Additionally, the law does not mandate universal background checks but requires them for individuals advertising guns for sale on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Changes to Yellow Flag Law

The legislation also includes changes to the state's yellow flag law, streamlining the process for police to assess and intervene in mental health crises. Under the new law, police can directly seek a warrant from a judge, eliminating hurdles faced under the previous law. This was a response to feedback from law enforcement members, who found the existing yellow flag law cumbersome and challenging to implement.

Advocates of expanded gun control laws celebrated the approval of the new standards. With Maine's adoption of the background check law, the total number of states with such laws now stands at 22. Supporters expressed optimism that additional new gun measures approved by Maine lawmakers will also be enacted soon.

Strengthening Legal Standards

The new law also enhances legal standards for prosecution and penalties to discourage the sale of weapons to prohibited buyers. It introduces felony charges for such sales, aiming to deter individuals from engaging in such transactions. However, the governor's office clarified that transfers of firearms to family members or trusted friends will remain unaffected. The focus is on incentivizing checks against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for private, unadvertised sales to unknown individuals.

In response to a special commission's findings about warning signs preceding the mass shooting, Governor Mills proposed the creation of a new violence and injury prevention program. This program would require the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to gather data from various sources, including law enforcement, hospitals and schools, to inform public policy decisions. Furthermore, the governor's proposal for a network of crisis centers would expand upon existing facilities, with plans for additional centers in the future.