Maine Passes Gun Control Legislation Following Lewiston Mass Shooting

Gov. Janet Mills is expected to sign into law a bill aimed at strengthening the yellow flag law and background checks on private sales, among others.

Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash), left, confers with Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (D-Arrowsic), Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harold "Trey" Stewart (R-Presque Isle), and Assistant Senate Minority Leader Sen. Lisa Keim (R-Dixfield), in front of the rostrum during a break in the morning session at the Maine State House in Augusta, Maine on April 17, 2024. Joe Phelan/The Kennebec Journal via AP

The Maine Legislature passed sweeping gun control legislation, including background checks on private gun sales, waiting periods for gun purchases, and criminalizing gun sales to prohibited people on Thursday.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and the Democratic-led Legislature pushed for a number of gun and mental health proposals following the state’s deadliest shooting that left 18 dead and 13 others injured about six months ago in Lewiston.