Maine lawmakers reinforce ‘yellow flag’ law and expand background checks six months after mass shooting

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history six months ago, Democratic state lawmakers have taken action.

The Maine legislature passed bills strengthening the state’s “yellow flag” laws, which aim to strip guns away from those suffering from psychiatric health crises. That legislation would have taken the Lewiston shooter’s firearms away after he punched a fellow Army reservist.

Other legislation passed would expand background checks for private sales of guns and make it a crime to sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from having guns. The bill also would fund violence protection initiatives and open a mental health crisis receiving center in Lewiston.

The Democratic-controlled legislature also voted to include a 72-hour waiting period to purchase a firearm and ban

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