Reports show that about 166 people die from gun violence annually in Maine. Although this is considered a relatively low number compared to other U.S. states, that is still a lot of lives lost to guns.
Historically, Maine has had very few gun safety laws despite being surrounded by states with stronger laws. However, recent sad events have coerced the state authorities to enact improvements to its firearms laws. This article reviews some of these improvements and other important firearms laws in Maine.
Understanding Maine’s New Firearms Laws and Improvements
Maine is arguably one of the U.S. states with the least firearms laws. Firearms laws in this state remained relative to its low gun violence compared to the rate of gun violence in America. At least, this was the belief until the Lewiston mass shooting in October 2023, which claimed 18 lives.
After this incident, Maine’s lawmakers swung into action to strengthen firearms laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Below are the top firearms legislation passed into law in April 2024:
A Waiting Period for Gun Purchases
Maine firearms laws now mandate a 72-hour or 3-day waiting period for gun purchases. This law is important because the majority of gun deaths (about 89%) are from suicides. The 3-day waiting period aims to quell and discourage suicidal attempts using firearms.
Background Check Before Firearm Sales
New regulations have expanded the required background checks for all advertised firearms sales, whether online or in print. Sellers must conduct a thorough background check before selling or transferring firearms to prospective buyers.
The background check applies to commercial and private sales. However, it is not required for a sale or transfer between families. This amendment makes it a felony to recklessly or intentionally sell firearms to a prohibited person.
The “Yellow Flag” Law Improvement
The yellow flag law is considered Maine’s version of the Extreme Risk Protection Order. This law was unsurprisingly a primary target for improvement after the Lewiston mass shooting.
This improvement on the yellow flag law now makes it easier for police and law enforcement to take someone into protective custody using a warrant from a judge. This action aims to restrict the person’s access to firearms when considered a threat to themselves or others.
The yellow flag law was amended to include the following:
- Allow law enforcement to use the recent personal observation of a third party.
- Extend the time for the police to arrange a hearing to 30 days.
- Allow the use of telehealth assessments.
- Allow another state’s extreme risk protection order to carry over into Maine.
Other Firearms Laws Sought in Maine
Beyond the reforms recently discussed, Maine enjoys certain protective legislation, such as the domestic violence firearms laws in Maine. Despite these reforms, many believe that much more legislation is still required to ensure full protection against gun violence in Maine.
Below are some laws residents desire to see adopted in Legislation.
- Mandating a concealed carry permit
- Prohibiting bump stock acquisition
- Requiring dealer license
- Prohibiting assault weapons
- Regulating open carry
- Implementing the federal minimum age to purchase
- Mandating crime gun tracing
Endnote
Informed by the Lewiston mass shooting in 2023, Maine adopted new firearms laws and amendments, including a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, expanding the required background check for gun purchases, and improving the yellow flag law. This reform aims to prevent similar tragedies, and residents expect stricter reforms to intensify gun violence protection.
