Maine Senate Democratic Leaders stand in support of suite of gun safety legislation

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, members of Democratic Legislative Leadership released a comprehensive suite of legislation designed to reduce gun violence and bolster public health. The suite of legislation includes three measures from Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland, Sen. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston and Sen. Anne Carney of Cape Elizabeth that seek to build a safer Maine in response to the recent mass shooting in Lewiston and ongoing gun violence events including suicide, homicide and violent crime. 

Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick released the following statements in support of the legislative suite:

Sen Vitelli:

“As the Senator who represents Bowdoin, our community has been grieving a quadruple homicide. There have been instances where our gun laws have not protected Mainers. It’s clear we need to examine our state laws, find the gaps in our safety nets, and do all we can to help keep people safe. This is a crucial moment in our state’s history, and we are here to meet that moment. It will take all of us working together and listening compassionately to chart a path forward. These bills represent the first step.”

Sen. Daughtry:

“Mainers agree that we must keep firearms out of the hands of people who are a danger to other people or themselves. That’s why I’ve been supportive of common-sense safety measures, like these, for my entire legislative career. So many people across our state and right here in the Legislature are looking inward and asking ‘What more can we do to keep each other safe?’ The answer begins with these bills. There’s no one solution, but I’m proud knowing these steps would fit Maine and can make a difference.”

The three bills in the suite are:

• LD 2237, “An Act to Strengthen Public Safety, Health and Well-being by Expanding Services and Coordinating Violence Prevention Resources,” sponsored by Speaker Talbot Ross
• LD 2238, “An Act to Address Gun Violence in Maine by Requiring a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases,” sponsored by Sen. Rotundo
• An amended version of LD 2086, “An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Disposition of Forfeited Firearms,” sponsored by Sen. Carney. The amendment would clamp down on the possession of firearms with devices that work like machine guns.

The three proposals, along with the bill put forward by the Governor, will be the subject of public hearings in early March.