Leaders to Decide if Gun Control Bills Will Be Considered This Session
In the wake of the Parkland, Fla. school shootings last week, Democrats in the Maine Legislature are hoping to introduce a number of last-minute gun control bills next week, including a ban on “bump stocks,” devices that are used to boost the performance of semiautomatic rifles. However, one Republican leader says it’s too late in the session to take up such major legislation.
Leaders from both parties will meet next Tuesday to decide which, if any “after deadline” bills they will allow for consideration this session. In addition to the bump stock ban, House Speaker Sara Gideon and some fellow democrats are also drafting a proposed ban on high capacity ammunition magazines, an improved background check process and a proposal to raise the age to buy a firearm to 21.
“I have thought about and worked on almost nothing but this since last Wednesday and it is my absolute top priority above everything else that we do here,” says Gideon.
Gideon says that she is also drafting so-called “red flag” bills, which are under consideration in Florida and other states. An example of such a bill is that it would allow a parent or other family member to go to court to block the ability of a person to buy a gun if that person is exhibiting troublesome behavior. A different version would allow law enforcement to seek such an order.
Read more: http://mainepublic.org/post/leaders-decide-if-gun-control-bills-will-be-considered-session