Maine CDC releases annual report of firearm fatalities; suicides by gun increase significantly in 2021
Maine CDC releases annual report on firearm fatalities and hospitalizations for 2021.
Federal legislation does not go far enough
Federal law in response to the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde law is a significant step, but few states ban the purchase of long guns for the age group of the perpetrators. Maine is not one of them.
A Canadian man shot and killed 22 people. Three of his guns came from Maine
The Portland Press Herald has now covered the story of how the worst mass shooting in Canadian history was abetted by Maine's dangerously lax gun laws and the ubiquity of firearms in the state. The MGSC Board, and indeed all of Maine is lucky to have Margaret Groban to once again speak so knowledgeably on this tragic story.
How the Novia Scotia gunman got his weapons and who may have helped him in Maine
Unfortunately it is no surprise that in a state awash in guns and with massive loopholes in our background check, and gun sale and transfer laws, Maine played a role in this tragedy.
Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office to host gun safety training in wake of 2021 shootings
MGSC Executive Director Geoff Bickford spoke with the Times Record about the gun safety training program being offered by the Sagadoahoc Sheriff's Office.
Insight: Guns in the COVID era: An expert discusses trends in gun sales and gun violence in pandemic America
Be sure to check out this excellent interview in the Portland Press Herald with Garen Wintemute, an emergency medicine physician at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center and director of the California Firearm Violence Research Center, discussing the relationship between the massive surge in gun sales during the peak of the Covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent spike in firearm-involved crimes.
Rep. Doudera bill to reduce child access to loaded firearms heads to Governor
The Maine Senate voted 20-15 on Wednesday to advance legislation sponsored by Representative Vicki Doudera, D-Camden intended to protect Maine children from death and injury from loaded firearms. LD 759 would amend the child endangerment laws to include unauthorized access to firearms for children under 16.
MGSC Speaks to News Center Maine About the Growth of so-called “Second Amendment Sanctuaries” in Maine
Maine Gun Safety Coalition Executive Director Geoff Bickford spoke with News Center Maine/NBC 10 in Portland about Fort Fairfield’s declaration as a “second Amendment Sanctuary.'“ As Geoff notes, MGSC is "not presently concerned or worried about [these ordinances] because these things have no legal effect."
MGSC Speaks to the Press About Shooting of Two-Year Old in Waterville
Maine Gun Safety Coalition Executive Director Geoff Bickford spoke with WABI CBS in Bangor about tips for firearm safe storage and how to avoid a repeat of the completely avoidable shooting of a 2 year old in Waterville earlier this month.
Maine needs a Child Access Prevention law now.
Maine Gun Safety Coalition Announces 2020 Safety Leader Candidates
Today the Maine Gun Safety Coalition (MGSC), Maine’s longest standing and only state-based organization dedicated to protecting Mainers from gun violence, is proud to announce its recognition of 23 Safety Leaders running for House or Senate in Maine this November 3rd. The group includes three candidates for state senate and twenty candidates for state house. Nine of those recognized are incumbents.