Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Friday signed into law a series of gun safety laws approved by lawmakers in the wake of the worst mass shooting in the state’s history, expanding background checks for private sales of weapons and enforcing the state’s “yellow flag.” ” was strengthened.
AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Friday signed into law a series of gun safety laws approved by lawmakers in the wake of the worst mass shooting in state history, expanding background checks on private sales of weapons and expanding background checks on private sales of weapons. It strengthened the state’s “yellow flag” law. , criminalizes the transfer of guns to prohibited persons and expands care for mental health crises.
In his State of the Union address, the governor told lawmakers that doing nothing was not an option after an Army reservist with an assault rifle killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston on Oct. 25. He spoke to the following people.
The bill drew opposition from Republicans who accused Democrats, who control both chambers, of using the tragedy to advance proposals, some of which had previously been defeated. Mills said Friday that the proposal would improve public safety while honoring the state’s long tradition of gun ownership and outdoor traditions.
“This legislation represents important and meaningful progress that does not trample on anyone’s rights and better protects public safety by enacting sensible reforms and significantly expanding mental health resources. “We’re going to do that,” Mills said.
The new law signed by the governor does not require universal background checks, but it does require background checks on people advertising gun sales on places like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Sellers must conduct background checks using commercially licensed companies such as L.L. Bean or Cabela’s.
The bill would require police to evaluate a person, take them into protective custody for a mental health evaluation, and hold a hearing before a judge to remove guns from mentally ill people. It includes amendments to the state’s yellow flag laws that allow it.
The new law will streamline the process by allowing police to go directly to a judge to obtain a warrant. This removes a hurdle when deputies were stumped when the Lewiston shooter refused to answer the door for an in-person interview as required by current law. Law enforcement officials said in testimony about the shooting that the state’s existing yellow flag law is burdensome and difficult to enforce.
The bill signed by the governor also strengthens the legal standards for prosecution and penalties to stop the sale of weapons to prohibited buyers, making it a felony. The governor’s office said in a statement that the new approach “means the transfer of firearms to a family member or trusted friend, which is common in Maine, will not change, but will encourage checks against the (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). It will happen,” he said. Non-advertised private sales to unknown individuals that threaten increased risk of prosecution or imprisonment. ”
Mr. Mills approved the gun proposal a day after a special committee he convened interviewed Card’s fellow reservists who warned of Card’s increasingly erratic behavior. After a long search, Card was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the aftermath of the shooting.
Sean Hodgson, one of the reservists interviewed Thursday, told his superiors in September: “I believe he’s going to open fire and cause a mass shooting.”
Mills also announced a new law on violence and violence that would require the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as a clearinghouse, gathering data from law enforcement, hospitals, schools and other sources to inform public policy decisions. Suggested the creation of an injury prevention program.
Meanwhile, her proposal for a network of crisis centers would build on the first similar facility already operating in Portland and a second facility under construction in central Maine.
