Maine Governor is Ready to Take On New Gun Control Measures
Jose Nino
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The Lewiston, Maine mass shooting of October 25, 2023, has motivated Governor Janet Mills to pursue certain gun control measures.
Despite being a Democrat, Mills has previously expressed her opposition to prohibitions on so-called “assault weapons” and high-capacity magazines, owing to Maine’s well-rooted hunting and pro-Second Amendment culture.
Mills’ views will heavily influence the viability of any gun control bills as safety activists and legislators consider reform before the legislature reconvenes in January.
As recently as last year, Mills, a second-term Democrat, stated her opposition to bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines in a questionnaire drawn up by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, an organization that lobbies for hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and firearm owners
However, in that same questionnaire, Mills manifested her reticence towards supporting “red flag” laws that would allow family or household members to submit a petition to a court to strip a person of their gun rights if the person is deemed to be a violent threat to themselves or others.
However, the recent mass shooting in Lewiston has made Mills more receptive to advancing gun control.
Mills said on November 20, 2023 that “action is needed” when it comes to dealing with gun violence and maintaining public safety. She said she would meet up with several public health experts, community members, and public safety officials to discuss several gun control proposals.
With respect to a reporter’s question whether she would back a red flag gun confiscation bill, Mills indicated she would not discard any specific proposal.
“There are a lot of ideas out there,” Mills said. “I’m willing to listen to all voices.”
At one point when Maine passed Constitutional Carry in 2015, it looked like a promising state for the Second Amendment. However, its potential pro-gun gains could now be in jeopardy if Mills ends up kowtowing to Gun Control Inc’s snake oil. Maine is ranked in 30th place according to Guns & Ammo magazine’s best states for gun owners rankings so it still has work to do in consolidating its image as a pro-gun state.
However, all of that could go to waste if Mills ends up implementing an anti-gun agenda in the state. As always, gun owners will have to keep tabs on their elected officials if they’re serious about preserving their liberties. That’s the only way to preserve their liberties.
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