Sweeping gun legislation approved by Maine lawmakers after deadliest shooting in state history

By DAVID SHARP
Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature has approved sweeping gun safety legislation nearly six months after the deadliest shooting in state history. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and the Democratic-led Maine Legislature pressed for a number of gun and mental health proposals after the Oct. 25 shooting that claimed 18 lives and injured another 13 people, despite the state’s strong hunting tradition and support for gun owners. The bills that received approval included background checks on private gun sales, 72-hour waiting periods for gun purchases and criminalizing gun sales to prohibited people. The final vote on the governor’s proposal came early Thursday.