2025 Legislative Session Priorities

Increased Safe Storage Requirements

An Act to Promote the Secure Storage of Firearms; LD 1120

This bill seeks to ensure that firearms are stored safely and not accessible to either children or persons prohibited from possessing firearms

The data overwhelmingly proves that secure storage laws save lives, particularly children and teens. Safe storage policies reduce rates of firearm injuries and deaths. One study found that households that lock up both firearms and ammunition are associated with a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted injuries and an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, compared to households that locked up neither.

Child access prevention laws make a difference. But MORE can be done. Given the recent death of a child in Lewiston, we must urge the Legislature to take action now.

This bill has passed the Judiciary Committee and will be voted on by the full legislature.

An Act to Prohibit the Unsecured Storage of Handguns in Motor Vehicles; LD 1299

Firearms stolen from cars are one of the leading sources of crime guns in the country. This law would require anyone that leaves a firearm in an unattended vehicle to store it in a locked, hard-sided container out of plain sight.

Prohibition of Ghost Guns

An Act Requiring Serial Numbers on Firearms and Prohibiting Undetectable Firearms; LD 1126

In March 2025, the US Supreme Court upheld Biden Administration regulations restricting the use of ghost guns, Bondi v. VanDerStok. A state law is still needed as it remains to be seen if the current administration will continue and enforce this initiative. 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

This bill has passed the Judiciary Committee and will be voted on by the full legislature.

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.

This bill did not pass in the Judiciary Committee. Thank you for your advocacy.

Prohibition of Bump Stocks

An Act to Update the Statutory Definition of “Machine Gun” and Prohibit Possession of a Rapid-fire Device; LD 677

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.

This bill did not pass in the Judiciary Committee.

AND THANK YOU ALL for advocating against the  following bills that failed in the Judiciary Committee: 

• LD 424 which would have allowed a person who is 18, rather than 21 Years of age or older who is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm to carry a concealed handgun.

• LD 998 which would have removed the specification that the employee must have a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in a car parked on the employer’s premises.

• LD 829 which would have permitted a person to possess  a firearm in state parks, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and Acadia National Park without a valid permit.