Several gun bills inspired by mass shootings are heading toward final passage in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine – A series of gun safety bills introduced in the wake of the deadliest shooting in Maine history appear to be heading toward final passage as the state Legislature races to end its session this week.

The House followed the Senate on Monday in passing the governor’s omnibus gun safety bill that strengthens the state’s yellow flag law, increases background checks for private gun sales and makes it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a prohibited person. The project also funds violence prevention initiatives and opens a mental health crisis center in Lewiston.

More votes are needed in the Democrat-controlled legislature before it adjourns on Wednesday. The Chamber will also vote on two bills approved by the Senate: grace periods for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks.

One bill that failed was a proposal to allow victims of gun violence to sue gun manufacturers. And so far, neither chamber has voted on a red flag bill that would allow family members to petition a judge to take away guns from someone in a psychiatric crisis. This proposal differs from the state’s current yellow flag law, which puts police in the lead in the process.

Meanwhile, another measure sponsored by House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross to fund a range of mental health and violence prevention initiatives awaits money in the final budget.

The state has a strong hunting tradition and an active lobby that seeks to protect the rights of gun owners. Maine voters rejected universal background checks for firearm purchases in 2016.

The Oct. 25 shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston prompted lawmakers to act, saying constituents demanded they do something that could prevent future attacks.

Police were warned by family members of the shooter, an Army reservist who died by suicide, that he was becoming paranoid and losing control of reality before the attack. He was hospitalized last summer while training with his Army Reserve unit, and his best friend, a fellow reservist, warned that the man would “swing and shoot en masse.”