Sen. Anne Carney celebrates Maine’s “Most Improved” rating from national gun safety group Giffords, vows to continue working to strengthen Maine’s gun safety laws
AUGUSTA — The national gun safety group Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence has improved its rating of Maine’s gun safety laws to a C+ in its latest Annual Gun Law Scorecard, in recognition of the work done by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, and other members of the Maine Legislature to pass common sense gun safety measures during this year’s legislative session. The state’s increase from a D- in 2023 makes Maine the “Most Improved” of all 50 states in 2024.
“As Senate chair of the Judiciary Committee, I have dedicated much of my time in the Senate to strengthening Maine’s gun safety laws, which is a top priority for the people of Senate District 29 and the many Mainers working to make our state safer,” said Sen. Carney. “I am proud of the laws that we were able to get enacted this year, from expanding background checks to instituting a 72-hour waiting period for most gun purchases. These measures help keep Mainers alive and prevent firearm-related suicides. Although this new rating is a significant improvement, it shows that we still have a lot of work ahead to ensure we are doing all we can to create safe communities, homes, and schools in Maine.”
Following the deadly mass shooting in Lewiston on October 25, 2023, Democrats in the Maine State Legislature took action to reduce gun violence. As Senate chair of the Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Gun Safety Caucus, Sen. Carney worked on many of the gun safety bills considered in 2024.
Some passed the Legislature and were signed into law, including an expansion of background checks to advertised gun sales and gun show sales, the implementation of a 72-hour waiting period for most gun purchases, and critical investments in mental health and violence prevention initiatives.
As part of her efforts to continue to protect Mainers from gun violence, Sen. Carney will be working on common sense gun safety policies during the 132nd Legislature. She may re-introduce her bill to expand the definition of machine guns in Maine law to include rapid fire devices added to firearms after purchase.
Founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords uses its decades of political, legal, and policy expertise to advocate for safer gun laws throughout the nation, including in Maine. Each year, they release a scorecard that ranks all 50 states based on their gun laws. The rankings also look at gun death rates in each state.
Sen. Carney is serving her third term in the Maine Senate. In the 132nd Legislature, she serves as Senate chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Judiciary and as a member of the Legislature’s Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Sen. Carney is the co-chair of the Gun Safety Caucus. Sen. Carney represents Maine Senate District 29, which includes South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and part of Scarborough.
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