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BILL TRACKING

State Legislation Tracker

The table found below summarizes the Firearms Related Bills in the  131st Legislature. Bills marked RED are anti-gun. Bills marked GREEN are pro-gun. Bills marked YELLOW may not be directly related to gun rights, but could be of interest to gun owners.

For More Detailed Updates on Legislation that was brought forward from 2023,

or legislation that was submitted in 2024, please see the recent updates on our homepage.

Legislative Summary for 131st

The following is a summation of the activity of the 131st Legislature (as of January 27, 2024) that has taken place in Augusta regarding a host of gun bills, both good and bad.   Gun Owners of Maine would like to thank all the people who worked to defeat the gun control bills as well as those who supported the pro-gun bills.  

LD 22  An Act to Impede the Transfer of Firearms to Prohibited Persons  

Status= Passed and Signed into Law as Amended.  Passed both House and Senate, amended by the Senate to exclude antique and muzzle loader firearms and sent back to the House for concurrence.  The amendment also clarifies that the seller has to know or has reason to believe that the buyer is a prohibited person for the law to apply.  In addition, the penalty is changed to a civil violation for the first offense.    


LD 52 (HP 27)  An Act to Allow Certain School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property 

Status= Dead.   Failed both in the House and Senate.  


LD 60  An Act to Require a 72-hour Waiting Period After the Sale of a Firearm  

Status= Dead.   Passed the House but failed in the Senate. BROUGHT BACK AS LD 2238


LD 168  An Act Regarding Criminal Background Checks for the Sale, Transfer or Exchange of Firearms

Status= Dead Voted in House last minute - Passed House, failed in Senate. (Dead)


LD 271  An Act Requiring the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to Offer a For-credit Course on Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting and Trapping

Status= Dead.  No action was taken by the committee and the LD was placed in Legislative Files. 


LD 551  An Act to Strengthen Maine Citizens' Second Amendment Rights by Allowing the Discharge of Firearms on Private Property That Is Within 500 Feet of School Property in Certain Circumstances 

Status=Dead  Passed the Senate as amended but failed to pass in the House.


LD 582  An Act to Enhance Certain Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons 

Status=Passed as Amended, Became law without the Governor's Signature 


LD 624   An Act to Prohibit Government Officials from Maintaining Records Related to Firearms Owners   

Status=Dead  Passed by the Senate but failed in the House.  


LD 629  An Act To Improve, Protect And Defend The Individual Civil Right To Bear Arms Through Exemption Of Firearms And Ammunition From Taxation  

Status=Active, Carried over No committee vote has yet occurred


LD 674  Bail Commissioners to Carry Firearms in Correctional Facilities and Jails  

Status=Dead Passed by the House, failed in the Senate.  


LD 943  An Act to Enhance Privacy and Prohibit Shipping Companies from Maintaining Records of Firearm and Ammunition Shipments  

Status=Dead Failed in both the House and the Senate.


LD 1000  Resolve, to Convene a Firearm Range Safety Working Group
Within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife  

Status=Dead Failed in both the House and the Senate.  


LD 1011  An Act Requiring the Reporting of Stolen Firearms  

Status=Dead  Failed in both House and Senate


LD 1103  An Act to Allow Persons Who Lawfully Use or Possess Cannabis to Own or Possess Firearms or Ammunition  

Status=Passed  Passed by the House and Senate as amended, became Law without the Governor's signature. However, the use/possession of Cannabis and the owning/possession of firearms is still a federal offense.


LD 1072  An Act Regarding the Bureau of Motor Vehicles  

Status=Passed  The part of this bill which would have prohibited the carrying of firearms in DMV offices was removed by an amendment.  The bill was then passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the Governor. GOME no longer considers this bill to be a concern for gun owners.  


LD 1340  An Act to Prohibit the Sale or Possession of Rapid-fire Modification Devices

Status=Dead  The bill passed in the House but then failed in the Senate.  


LD 1451  An Act to Prohibit State and Local Enforcement of Federal
Firearms Laws 

Status=Dead Failed in the House and Senate   


LD 1561  An Act to Restore Firearm Rights and Hunting Privileges to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes  

Status=Carried over  Came out of committee with a divided report, Majority Ought to Pass as amended, carried over. 


LD 1696  An Act to Create a Civil Cause of Action for Persons Suffering
Damages Arising from the Sale of Abnormally Dangerous Firearms  

Status=Active This bill was voted on by the Judiciary Committee with a majority report of Ought to Pass after significant amendments (see here) . It awaits a vote on the House and Senate Floor.  See committee vote break down https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=131&paper=&paperld=l&ld=1696

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY & TESTIFYING ONLINE

Once bills are scheduled for public hearings, you can sign up to testify live: https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/. At this link, you can submit written testimony and/or sign up to testify. If you sign up to testify, you will receive an email to register for the Zoom webinar. Once you register, you’ll receive another email with a Zoom link to join the hearing. You must sign up at least 30 minutes before the hearing.

When you join the hearing online, you will be a participant—able to see and hear the committee, but they will not see or hear you. When it’s your turn to testify, you will be switched to a panelist, enabling the committee members to see and hear you. If a lot of people are signed up to testify, you will probably be limited to three minutes. After completing your testimony you will be switched back to a participant. At that point, if you wish to log off, you should have the option of watching the remainder of the hearing on the committee’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaineStateLegislature/channels.

To testify in this manner, you will need a device equipped with a camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, webcam, cell phone, etc.) and an Internet connection.

To check on a bill’s committee status, click on SUMMARY & STATUS below, then click on “Status in Committee”.


LD/Bill Sponsor Title / Status
LD 22

SPONSOR:  Senator CARNEY of Cumberland

COSPONSOR(S):  Representative SHEEHAN of Biddeford and
Senator BEEBE-CENTER of Knox, LAWRENCE of York, Representative: DOUDERA of
Camden.

TITLE: An Act to Impede the Transfer of Firearms to Prohibited Persons

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=22&snum=131
LD 52
 SPONSOR:

Representative FOSTER of Dexter

COSPONSOR(S):  Senator HARRINGTON of York and
Representatives: COSTAIN of Plymouth, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft

TITLE: An Act to Allow Certain School Employees to Carry Firearms on School Property

SUMMARY & STATUS: http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=52&snum=131
LD 60

SPONSOR: Representative CRAVEN of Lewiston

COSPONSOR(S):  Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, CRAFTS of Newcastle, DODGE of
Belfast, GRAMLICH of Old Orchard Beach, WHITE of Waterville

 TITLE: An Act to Require a 72-hour Waiting Period After the Sale of a Firearm


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=60&snum=131
LD 168

SPONSOR: Rep. TALBOT ROSS, Rachel of Portland

COSPONSOR(S): Representative: SALISBURY of Westbrook

TITLE: An Act Regarding Criminal Background Checks for the Sale, Transfer or Exchange of Firearms

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=168&snum=131
 LD 271
  SPONSOR:

Senator POULIOT of Kennebec

COSPONSOR(S): Representitive SAMPSON of Alfred and
Senator: LYFORD of Penobscot.

 TITLE: An Act Requiring the University of Maine System and the Maine
Community College System to Offer a For-credit Course on

Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting and Trapping

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=271&snum=131
 LD 551
 SPONSOR:

Representative MORRIS of Turner

COSPONSOR(S): Senator BRAKEY of Androscoggin and
 Representatives: ANDREWS of Paris, ARDELL of Monticello, COLLAMORE of Pittsfield,
 LAVIGNE of Berwick, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, PAUL of Winterport, Senator:
 TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin.

 TITLE:

An Act to Strengthen Maine Citizens' Second Amendment Rights by Allowing the Discharge of Firearms on Private Property That Is Within 500 Feet of School Property in Certain Circumstances.

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=551&snum=131
 LD 582
 SPONSOR:

Senator LYFORD of Penobscot

COSPONSOR(S): Representative CAMPBELL of Orrington and
Senators: BLACK of Franklin, GUERIN of Penobscot, POULIOT of Kennebec,
TIMBERLAKE of Androscoggin, Representatives: DRINKWATER of Milford, THORNE of
Carmel, WOOD of Greene

 TITLE: An Act to Enhance Certain Penalties for Possession of Firearms by Prohibited Persons


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=582&snum=131
 LD 624
 SPONSOR:

Representative ARDELL of Monticello

COSPONSOR(S):  Senator STEWART of Aroostook and
Representatives: BABIN of Fort Fairfield, BLIER of Buxton, BOYER of Poland,
HENDERSON of Rumford, MORRIS of Turner, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft, WHITE of Guilford 		TITLE: An Act to Prohibit Government Officials from Maintaining Records Related to Firearms Owners


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=624&snum=131
 LD 629
 SPONSOR:

Representative ARDELL of Monticello

COSPONSOR(S):   Senator STEWART of Aroostook and
Representatives: BABIN of Fort Fairfield, BLIER of Buxton, BOYER of Poland, CYRWAY
of Albion, HENDERSON of Rumford, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft, WHITE of Guilford 		TITLE:

An Act To Improve, Protect And Defend The Individual Civil Right To Bear Arms Through Exemption Of Firearms And Ammunition From Taxation

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=629&snum=131
 LD 674
 SPONSOR:

Representative LAJOIE of Lewiston

COSPONSOR(S): Representatives: BRIDGEO of Augusta, LANDRY of Farmington, LEE of
Auburn, LIBBY of Auburn, PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft, WOOD of Greene, Senator:
BRAKEY of Androscoggin

 Title: An Act to Allow Bail Commissioners to Carry Firearms in

Correctional Facilities and Jails

SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=674&snum=131
 LD 943
 SPONSOR:

Representative ARDELL of Monticello

COSPONSOR(S): None.

 Title: An Act to Enhance Privacy and Prohibit Shipping Companies from Maintaining Records of Firearm and Ammunition Shipments


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=943&snum=131
LD 1000
 SPONSOR:

Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick

COSPONSOR(S): Representatives: CLUCHEY of Bowdoinham, DOUDERA of Camden,
MASTRACCIO of Sanford 		Title: Resolve, to Convene a Firearm Range Safety Working Group
Within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1000&snum=131
LD 1011
 SPONSOR:

Representative DOUDERA of Camden

COSPONSOR(S):  Senator CARNEY of Cumberland 		Title: An Act Requiring the Reporting of Stolen Firearms


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1011&snum=131
LD 1103
 SPONSOR:

Representative BOYER of Poland

COSPONSOR(S):  Representatives: EATON of Deer Isle, FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor,
HASENFUS of Readfield, LIBBY of Auburn, MATHIESON of Kittery, SUPICA of Bangor,
WARREN of Scarborough, Senator: HICKMAN of Kennebec 		Title: An Act to Allow Persons Who Lawfully Use or Possess Cannabis to Own or Possess Firearms or Ammunition


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1103&snum=131
 LD 1072
 SPONSOR:

Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland

COSPONSOR(S): Representative WILLIAMS of Bar Harbor and
Senator: GROHOSKI of Hancock, Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, ANKELES of
Brunswick, CRAFTS of Newcastle, MASON of Lisbon, O'CONNELL of Brewer,
THERIAULT of Fort Kent, WHITE of Waterville

 Title: An Act Regarding the Bureau of Motor Vehicles


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1072&snum=131

NOTE: Sections of this bill will turn DMV offices into Gun Free Zones, Specifically Section 4 - 160

This bill was amended to remove firearms concerns before passage
 LD 1451

SPONSOR(S):

Senator BRAKEY of Androscoggin

COSPONSOR(S):

Representative PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft and
Representatives: ANDREWS of Paris, BAGSHAW of Windham, BOYER of Poland,
GIFFORD of Lincoln, GUERRETTE of Caribou, LAVIGNE of Berwick, QUINT of Hodgdon,
SMITH of Palermo


 Title: An Act to Prohibit State and Local Enforcement of Federal
Firearms Laws


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1451&snum=131
 LD 1561
 SPONSOR(S):

Representative PERKINS of Dover-Foxcroft

COSPONSOR(S): Senator HICKMAN of Kennebec and
Representatives: ANDREWS of Paris, ARDELL of Monticello, BOYER of Poland,
FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, HYMES of Waldo, SOBOLESKI of Phillips, WHITE of
Guilford, Senator: HARRINGTON of York

 Title: An Act to Restore Firearm Rights and Hunting Privileges to Persons Previously Convicted of Certain Nonviolent Felony Crimes


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1561&snum=131
 LD 1696 SPONSOR(S):

Representative MILLETT of Cape Elizabeth

COSPONSOR(S): Senator CARNEY of Cumberland and
Representatives: DOUDERA of Camden, GATTINE of Westbrook, GRAMLICH of Old
Orchard Beach, MOONEN of Portland, SACHS of Freeport, SAYRE of Kennebunk, STOVER
of Boothbay, Senator: LAWRENCE of York

 Title: An Act to Create a Civil Cause of Action for Persons Suffering
Damages Arising from the Sale of Abnormally Dangerous Firearms


This would create a "soft ban" on various firearms, as manufacturers might not want to sell into the state if they feel there might be potential litigation. This could potentially include common firearms like handguns and semi-automatic rifles. 


SUMMARY & STATUS: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=131&paper=&paperld=l&ld=1696


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