AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Friday signed into law a suite of gun safety legislation approved by lawmakers after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, expanding background checks for private sales of weapons, bolstering the state’s “yellow flag” law, criminalizing the transfer of guns to prohibited people and expanding mental health crisis care.
The governor told lawmakers during her State of the State address that doing nothing was not an option after an Army reservist with an assault rifle killed 18 people and injured 13 others in Lewiston on Oct. 25.
The bills drew opposition from Republicans who accused Democrats, who control both legislative chambers, of using the tragedy to advance proposals, some of which had been previously defeated. Mills said Friday the proposal would improve public safety while respecting the state’s long traditions of gun ownership and outdoor heritage.
Katie Price 'has vowed to name and shame the celebrity who raped her in explosive new book'
Jennifer Lopez stuns in an all
Oklahoma prosecutors charge fifth member of anti
Judge orders preventative detention for Iranian and 2 Peruvians in thwarted plot to kill Israelis
The 10 worst cities to drive in the US are revealed
The US is now allowed to seize Russian state assets. How would that work?
Arkansas panel bans electronic signatures on voter registration forms
Heartbreak of MasterChef star, 21, whose older sister died with 'no warning'
A look at the Gaza war protests that have emerged on US college campuses
Heartbreak of MasterChef star, 21, whose older sister died with 'no warning'
Fresh health warning over common additive used in thousands of ultra