AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A series of gun safety bills introduced after the deadliest shooting in Maine history appears to be headed toward final passage as the state Legislature races to wrap up its session this week. The House followed the Senate on Monday in approving the governor’s omnibus gun safety bill that strengthens the state’s yellow flag law, boosts background checks for private sales of guns and makes it a crime to recklessly sell a gun to a prohibited person. The bill also funds violence prevention initiatives and opens a mental health crisis receiving center in Lewiston. More votes are necessary in the Democratic-controlled Legislature before it adjourns Wednesday. The House also will be voting on two bills approved by the Senate: waiting periods for gun purchases and a ban on bump stocks. One bill that failed was a proposal to let gun violence victims sue weapon manufacturers. And so far, neither chamber has voted on a proposal for a red flag law that allows family members to petition a judge to remove guns from someone who’s in a psychiatric crisis. That proposal differs from the state’s current yellow flag law that puts police in the lead of the process. |
Mountain goat stuck under Kansas City bridge survives rocky rescueGaza and Haiti are on the brink of famine, experts say. Here's what that meansAstronauts from Turkey, Italy and Sweden return to Earth, ending private space station tripAllergy season arrived early in US. Here's why, what you can doPosts distort former Virginia governor’s comments on third trimester abortionsA new Washington state law does not offer cash for reporting hate speechOnline posts erroneously tie Senate minority leader’s late sisterTwo bodies found in search for Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke DaviesHong Kong jails Portuguese national for overseas social media posts — Radio Free AsiaFormer world's oldest dog stripped of title