The recent mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, and a surprising change of stance by a conservative Democratic congressman regarding an assault weapons ban, have focused attention on the state’s two senators – Susan Collins, a moderate Republican, and Angus King, a Democrat-leaning independent. Both senators have expressed skepticism about banning military-style rifles.
Jared Golden, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, swiftly returned to his district in Lewiston after the tragic incident in his hometown, where a gunman killed 18 people and was still at large. Golden shocked his constituents in the traditionally pro-gun district by admitting his “failure” to support an assault weapons ban, stating that he needs to take responsibility. This unexpected reversal from Golden is likely to put pressure on Maine’s senators, especially since they both pride themselves on being in the political center and have previously achieved significant bipartisan compromises, including gun safety legislation in the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas tragedy.
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In a surprising move, King, who is up for reelection in 2024, joined Republicans, alongside Collins, to support an amendment that would prohibit the automatic sharing of veterans’ personal information with the federal firearms background check system if they are deemed mentally unfit to manage their benefits.
In an interview, King praised Golden’s bravery in changing his position on assault weapons. However, King remains opposed to the current Democratic proposal that seeks to ban 205 specific models of rifles and any weapon with specific military characteristics. Instead, King plans to introduce legislation, possibly next week, that focuses on the functionality of firearms rather than their appearance. The proposed legislation would require semi-automatic rifles to have fixed, permanent magazines that hold no more than 10 bullets. This measure aims to prevent shooters from loading high-capacity magazines or carrying multiple magazines for quick reloading. Furthermore, King’s legislation aims to permanently ban “bump stocks” that enable semi-automatic weapons to operate like machine guns. King is also exploring ways to modify bullet design to reduce lethality.
Collins has expressed support for banning bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. She is the sole remaining Republican senator who voted in favor of near-universal background checks in 2013, although the bill ultimately fell victim to a filibuster. However, Collins’ spokesperson clarified that while she supports expanded background checks, she opposes the assault weapons ban currently under consideration in the Senate.
The mass shooting in Lewiston came as a shock to Maine, which, according to the FBI’s recent crime statistics, is considered the safest state in the country. Maine also has one of the highest percentages of gun ownership.
King emphasized that Maine has a history of responsible gun ownership. The state, with its sparsely populated rural areas and a large number of hunters and fishermen, has long been a stronghold of gun rights. Although Democrats control the Legislature and governorship, the state has never moved to ban specific types of firearms.
However, Maine does have a yellow flag law, which allows law enforcement to detain individuals they believe are mentally ill and pose a threat to themselves or others. Unlike stricter red flag laws, Maine requires the involvement of a medical practitioner before law enforcement can request a judge’s authorization to seize firearms.
Collins stated that the suspect’s hospitalization in Lewiston should have triggered Maine’s yellow flag law, but she was unable to explain why it didn’t.
Currently, with Republicans holding the majority in the House and Democrats having only a one-seat majority in the Senate, talk of an assault weapons ban remains hypothetical. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, in response to the recent shooting in Maine, argued on Fox News’ Sean Hannity show that the issue lies with the human heart, not guns.
If anything, the political power seems to be leaning against gun control, as demonstrated by the vote to restrict the secretary of veterans affairs’ authority regarding veterans’ mental health issues and the background check system. This amendment, sponsored by Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, received 53 votes, including support from King, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona (formerly a Democrat, now an independent), and Democratic senators Jon Tester of Montana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada – all of whom are up for reelection next year.
King emphasized that the existing law classifies veterans differently from others without due process.
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