The Associated Press is reporting that gun prohibitionists in Maine have promised to keep fighting for restrictive gun control laws after several proposals were rejected for consideration in the upcoming session by state lawmakers.
Meanwhile, 650 miles to the south, the Washington Times is reporting that Virginia anti-gunners, supported by billionaire gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg, are hoping to capitalize on recent mass shootings to shift control of the legislature to Democrats today.
In Maine, according to the Associated Press and WGME News, “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said the proposals would have protected children from potential school shootings and gun accidents in the home.” It is not entirely clear how a new law will protect children from school shootings and firearms accidents because criminals and crazy people don’t obey existing laws, and neither do careless parents or curious kids.
One explanation for the cool reception from Maine lawmakers might be explained by David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, who was quoted in the AP story.
“That national agenda just doesn’t work here,” Trahan said. “It comes down to this simple statement: We can govern ourselves.”
Some anti-gunners consider that tantamount to blasphemy, but three years ago, Maine voters rejected a Bloomberg-backed initiative that would have required so-called “universal background checks.” It was a stunning defeat for the gun prohibition lobby, which had enjoyed success in distant Washington and California.
Down in Virginia, anti-gunners want to flip the Legislature to Democrats in Richmond, so they can adopt Gov. Ralph Northam’s restrictive gun control agenda, which rights activists consider extreme. But Northam has had some troubles of his own, and there is potential for backlash.
On the other hand, USA Today reported Monday that Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax might have recovered from earlier scandals and Democrats just might succeed today.
Northam wants to revive the one-gun-a-month law, and implement other gun control measures in reaction to the mass shooting in Virginia Beach earlier this year. It’s not clear how any of his proposals would have prevented the shooting, had they been in place, because the killer, who was shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with police, had passed background checks, and legally purchased the guns recovered at the scene.
