The Maine Gun Safety Coalition and its thousands of supporters appreciate the Press Herald editorial board’s Jan. 14 editorial, supporting firearm safe storage legislation.

I write to note that the safe storage bill passed by Maine’s Legislature, which became law in September 2021, would not have been possible without the tireless work of the newly formed Gun Safety Caucus of the state’s Legislature.

The caucus, with over 40 members from both the House and Senate, worked together to ensure the passage of this life-saving bill, that requires firearms to be safely stored in the presence of children. The success of the caucus, led by Rep. Vicki Doudera, and the passage of the bill demonstrate that it is a new day for gun safety in Maine.

For many years, supporting gun safety legislation was viewed in Augusta as the third rail of politics, but we now have a critical mass of lawmakers, law enforcement, medical professionals and advocates – like the Maine Gun Safety Coalition – who are working together on behalf of the vast majority of Mainers who support common-sense gun safety legislation that will keep our kids safe.

Our Legislature will have several opportunities to pass additional such legislation during the current session, including a bill to create a statewide safe-storage awareness and grant program, which the Legislature should pass and Gov. Mills should sign.

Brighter days are ahead for gun safety in Maine, but as your editorial wisely notes, there is much more work to do.

Geoff Bickford
executive director, Maine Gun Safety Coalition
Portland

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