Maine lawmakers reinforce ‘yellow flag’ law and expand background checks six months after mass shooting

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history six months ago, Democratic state lawmakers have taken action.

The Maine legislature passed bills strengthening the state’s “yellow flag” laws, which aim to strip guns away from those suffering from psychiatric health crises. That legislation would have taken the Lewiston shooter’s firearms away after he punched a fellow Army reservist.

Other legislation passed would expand background checks for private sales of guns and make it a crime to sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from having guns. The bill also would fund violence protection initiatives and open a mental health crisis receiving center in Lewiston.

The Democratic-controlled legislature also voted to include a 72-hour waiting period to purchase a firearm and ban bump stocks, but it did not institute a “red flag” law proposed by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross that would give family members instead of police the authority to petition a judge to remove guns from a person in a psychiatric crisis.

The legislature worked overnight to force the legislation through in fear of passing Wednesday’s adjournment date deadline.

Maine Republicans accused Democrats of using the Oct. 25, 2023, Lewiston shooting that claimed 18 lives as ammunition to push through the gun control measures.

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“My big concern here is that we’re moving forward with gun legislation that has always been on the agenda,” Republican state Sen. Lisa Keim said. “Now we’re using the tragedy in Lewiston to force it through when there’s nothing new here. It’s the same old ideas that were rejected year after year. Using the tragedy to advance legislation is wrong.”

Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) introduced the legislation in response to the shooting, saying, “Doing nothing is not an option,” in her State of the State Address in January.