Yarmouth, Maine – In response to the devastating violence that has rocked the state, Mainers are grappling with the question of how to come together as a community in the face of danger. As the year 2023 draws to a close, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition is urging the state to take proactive measures against gun violence in the coming year.
The Coalition has identified four key measures that it believes will help make Maine a safer place. These include implementing criminal background checks for all gun buyers, establishing a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases, enacting an extreme risk protection order, and banning the sale of assault weapons. According to the Coalition, each of these measures is associated with reducing the risk of injury or death from gun violence.
The road to passing these measures, however, is not an easy one. The Coalition cited examples from other states, such as Colorado, Illinois, and Washington, where legislative action on gun safety measures was only taken after multiple tragic incidents of mass violence. This highlights the challenges in enacting meaningful change and the tendency for progress to be slow in the face of resistance.
Despite the uphill battle, a recent survey found that a majority of Mainers support the measures proposed by the Coalition. With broad public backing, the Coalition is mobilizing a “Day of Action” at the State House in Augusta to urge lawmakers to take decisive action on gun safety legislation. The aim is to ensure that the voices of everyday Mainers are heard and to push for the passage of these vital bills.
In the wake of tragedy, Mainers are grappling with how to confront the specter of gun violence and prevent further loss of life. The proposed measures by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition are seen as a critical step towards creating a safer, more secure future for the state. It remains to be seen whether Maine’s legislators will heed the call for action and take meaningful steps to address the pressing issue of gun violence in the state.