Maine gun numbers tell a stark story. New caucus committed to changing them.

[Wendell]

It’s estimated that nearly half of all Maine homes have at least one firearm, and those numbers have risen since the start of the pandemic. According to FBI data on background checks, 70,244 Mainers tried to purchase firearms between March and August of 2020, an increase of 69 percent from 2019. And those are only the sales we know about: Maine law does not require background checks for transactions that take place at gun shows or through advertised sales, even though the parties may be complete strangers. Many of us in state government see the trends in gun suicide and other forms of gun violence as alarming, enough so that we have formed a legislative Gun Safety Caucus to work together on common-sense, life-saving measures. We have begun efforts to educate our colleagues and the public about policies that will address Maine’s gun-related crises, from firearm-involved suicides, to the recent spate of children shot and injured by unsecured firearms, to the ongoing tragedy of domestic violence firearm-involved homicides.

Opinion: Maine gun numbers tell a stark story. New caucus committed to changing them.

Gun deaths in Maine increased 45 percent from 2010 to 2019, vastly higher than the national average.

bangordailynews.com

Vicki Doudera of Camden represents District 94 in the Maine House of Representatives.

 

[JRT]

Whenever I see “common sense” my a**h*** tightens. Somebody coming to f*** me.

 

[MadatMarek]

“Gun deaths in Maine have increased 45%” I didn’t think guns ever died.

 

[moojpg2]

“Gun deaths in Maine have increased 45%” I didn’t think guns ever died.

More like "suicides in Maine have increased 45%"

 

[allen-1]

More like "suicides in Maine have increased 45%"

Gee, I wonder if this "pandemic" might have something to do with that rise?

I mean, being socially isolated, out of work, having to home school kids - these wouldn't be stress factors.

 

[Picton]

Gee, I wonder if this "pandemic" might have something to do with that rise?

I mean, being socially isolated, out of work, having to home school kids - these wouldn't be stress factors.

See, you're using the wrong kind of common sense...

 

[exo]

Gee, I wonder if this "pandemic" might have something to do with that rise?

I mean, being socially isolated, out of work, having to home school kids - these wouldn't be stress factors.

That’s the kind of considered, logical thinking that the politicritters just can’t stand.

 

[pupchow]

Gee, I wonder if this "pandemic" might have something to do with that rise?

I mean, being socially isolated, out of work, having to home school kids - these wouldn't be stress factors.

Saved for comparison, after 2020-2021 update.

https://www.maine.gov/suicide/docs/Lifespan-Data-Brief-2018.pdf

 

[CATI]

I wonder how they get that number 50%. The number in MA is easy to get. If you do not have forced licensing, no forced background checks and no registration they would need to get it by a survey. How many on NES in a ME situation would admit to ownership over the phone if no one knows?

 

[jhblaze1]

I didn't read the story, but what is the "stark story" the numbers tell. I lived in ME for 8 years and I don't remember there being much crime or murders.

 

[71montess]

“Gun deaths in Maine have increased 45%” I didn’t think guns ever died.

It's the frigging 3rd world invitations the local Mayors put out !

 

[lancecolonel]

I get the feeling that the real numbers are minuscule so they have to use % to really scare certain types.