Great Falls Forum: The Facts of the Tragedy; February 20, 12-1pm
Daniel Wathen, Chair of the Commission that investigated the Lewiston shootings, will speak about the finding and discuss them with the Lewiston Sun Journal politics and history reporter Steve Collins.
February 13, 2025; Maine US District Court Judge Pauses Implementation of 72 Hr. Waiting Period; MGSC Press Release; Decision is being Appealed to the First Circuit Court of Appeals
In just over two months, over 600 volunteers gathered more than 80,000 signatures to place an Extreme Risk Protection Order on the November 2025 ballot. The signatures were filed with the Secretary of State on January 23rd. The Maine Gun Safety Coalition and our allies launched the Safe Schools, Safe Communities citizen initiative to protect our communities from another tragedy like the 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston. Families need all available tools if a loved one is in crisis; the yellow flag law falls short of providing what an ERPO would provide. Read WHY. Safe Schools, Safe Communities is a campaign of MGSC, a 501.c.4 organization. Donations are not tax deductible.
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Request a Community Speaker for your interest group to learn about the referendum, upcoming legislative priorities and gun laws in Maine.
Citizen Initiative To Create a True Extreme Risk Protection Order Headed to November 2025 Ballot
Certain 2025 Legislative Session Priorities
Prohibition of Rapid Fire Devices
in the spring of 2024 the Legislature passed a bill that would have banned bump stocks and other rapid-fire conversion devices. It was vetoed by Governor Mills. An assault weapon was used by the perpetrator of the Lewiston massacre. Between 2015 and 2022, mass shootings (four or more people killed) where assault weapons were used resulted in nearly six times as many people shot, more than twice as many people killed, and 23 times as many people wounded per incident on average. Bump stocks are used to convert a semi-automatic rifle to a rapid-fire weapon, with a machine gun like capability. They were used in the Las Vegas shooting in 2017. Mainers deserve to be free of firearms and devices whose only purpose is to kill more people. See MORE.
Protect the 72 Hr. Waiting Period
LD 208 has been introduced to repeal the waiting period law adopted last session. In addition a law suit has been filed arguing that the law is unconstitutional. ANDREA BECKWITH, et al. v. AARON M. FREY, in his personal capacity and in his official capacity as Attorney General of Maine. MGSC, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Maine Assn. of Psychiatric Physicians, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence have collectively been granted status as Amici Curiae to argue against the preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs preventing implementation of the law. On February 13, 2025, Chief US District Judge Lance Walker granted a preliminary injunction pausing the implementation of the law while the case makes its way through the court system and the decision is being appealed. Learn MORE about why the 72 waiting period is critical.
Prohibition of Ghost Guns
Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that are assembled at-home by individual firearm components purchased either as a kit or as separate pieces by customers and assembled into fully functioning firearms. Manufacturers of ghost guns knowingly sell these unserialized components, allowing purchasers to assemble a firearm at home without going through a background check or following any other state or federal laws around gun purchases. A ghost gun was used to murder the UnitedHealthcare executive in December 2024. There’s no good reason anyone should be able to purchase parts and assemble a gun that’s marketed as unserialized and untraceable. See MORE.
Increased Safe Storage Requirements
Maine’s recent safe storage law is significant. Child access prevention laws make a difference. But MORE can be done. The exact proposals are being crafted now.
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FOR RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2025
Contact: press@mainegunsafety.org
Statement from Gun Safety Coalition on Decision in Waiting Period Lawsuit
PORTLAND – Today the judge hearing the gun lobby’s lawsuit to roll back Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law for gun purchases issued a ruling in favor of the gun lobby. In response, Nacole Palmer, executive director for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition released the following statement:
“We’re deeply troubled by the decision of a Trump-appointed judge to roll back Maine’s gun safety laws. That the gun lobby sued to roll back a common-sense law that doesn’t prevent anyone’s right to buy guns but does help prevent suicide is unsurprising. That a judge granted them this political victory at the cost of Mainers is surprising.
“Suicide is the leading cause of gun death in Maine, especially for men. Three-day waiting period laws provide a brief cooling off period so someone in crisis who may be buying a gun to take their own life has time to reconsider and get help. These laws have been upheld as constitutional in countless other states where they exist, some up to 10 days. Once again, Maine is an outlier and this ruling is an exception to established law, and it’s an exception that will cost lives and cause Maine families heartbreak and loss.
“We’re confident the state will appeal and this poor decision that could cause more Maine families to lose loved ones to suicide will be overturned.”
Historic Progress on Gun Safety Measures in 2024 Legislative Session
DDecember 2024: Maine Most Improved in Gun Safety Legislation on Giffords Scorecard
What’s New at the Federal Level:
February 2025 Executive Order “Protecting Second Amendment Rights”
The order establishes a review of all federal orders and regulations for compliance with the Second Amendment.
January 2025 White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Ceases Operations
On September 26, 2024 the Biden-Harris Administration had announced new measures and funding to prevent gun violence. They included $135 million to fund the implementation of extreme risk protection orders at the state level. However in January 2024, the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was disbanded.