Gun Violence Prevention
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on the prevention of gun violence. Interested in helping us track legislation and policy on this topic at the state or federal level? Find out how you can take action with us.
END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Support Batterer Intervention Program and domestic violence laws
Two bills held over from the last session would help reduce domestic violence. Both are now before the Appropriations Committee and will either be funded and sent on to the Senate for a final vote, or allowed to die on the table. QUICK ACTION: Contact members of the Appropriations Committee and tell them to fund LD 525 and LD 524 and send them to the Senate for a final vote.
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#ENOUGH: Join Maine Protests Against Gun Violence
Thanks to student activists leading the way, momentum to fight for common sense gun reform shows no signs of slowing down. Next up: Town Hall For Our Lives on Saturday, April 7 in Brunswick and Bangor.
QUICK ACTION: Check out our complete list of Maine events and make plans to join one…or organize your own!
NO GUNS ON SCHOOLS GROUNDS: Oppose LD 1761
A vote on LD 1761, which would allow people to carry guns in their vehicles on school grounds, could come as early as TUESDAY.
UPDATE: The bill was voted down in the House, and is now DEAD. Great work, everyone!
#BOYCOTTNRA: Dismantle the NRA’s Financial Support
In the wake of disturbing comments made after the Parkland school shooting, news that Russians may have been funding the organization to make political inroads, and its continuous funding of legislators, a campaign has begun to dismantle the group’s ties to other businesses.
QUICK ACTION: Let the companies who support and oppose the NRA know how you feel by joining the #boycottNRA campaign.
THE BOYFRIEND LOOPHOLE: Close it to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
Deadly loopholes in our federal gun laws allow stalkers and domestic abusers to have guns simply because they are not married to their victims, even though women are just as likely to be killed by a dating partner as by a spouse.
QUICK ACTION: Ask your MoC to sign on as co-sponsors to legislation that will close “The Boyfriend Loophole” (S.1539 in the Senate and H.R. 3207 in the House).
CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY: Vote Imminent
Cleverly concealed inside a bill that strengthens background checks is the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act that turns the weakest state laws on concealed weapons into the law of the land. Rep. Poliquin co-sponsored the bill, which passed in the House and now moves to the Senate. Make sure Poliquin knows how you feel about him hiding his dangerous pet project in this way, and join in phone banking efforts to defeat this bill.
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STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Take Part in Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Attend one of 13 events across the state and join a social media campaign by Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV).
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GUN SILENCER BILL: Demand Opposition
Gun silencers pose a significant danger, making it harder for bystanders or law enforcement to identify and react quickly to gunshots. A new bill making its way through congress would gut regulations that have kept silencers out of the hands of criminals for more than 80 years. Call your MoC and demand that they oppose this dangerous bill, and that they allow the CDC to resume research on the epidemic of gun violence.
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Suit Up Maine is a statewide, all-volunteer, progressive, grassroots group of more than 5,400 Mainers that seeks to create and foster a more informed and engaged electorate. We raise awareness of and advocate for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. We are beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians, and we aren’t engaged in fundraising. Suit Up Maine fosters collaboration among our state’s progressive groups and organizations to collectively connect, educate, and motivate Mainers to rise in non-violent resistance to a regressive agenda.