This delay is costing lives

Two bills could undo progress on gun safety in Maine.

Dear Jason, There's no way around it: Lives are at risk right now because the gun lobby is still fighting Maine's 72-hour waiting period law.   Research shows that waiting period laws reduce gun homicides by approximately 17% annually. States with these laws prevent an average 750 gun deaths every year!   Without this safeguard in place, Maine families are more vulnerable to impulsive acts of gun violence, including suicides and homicides.   Maine's 72-hour waiting period law is not only tied up in court, but legislators in the gun lobby's pocket have introduced two bills to overturn it entirely. We have our work cut out for us.   Will you donate to the Maine Gun Safety Coalition? Your gift will help us defend valuable progress we've made to stop gun violence in Maine. DONATE The data is clear: waiting periods work. They provide time for background checks to be completed thoroughly and create a cooling-off period that can prevent impulsive acts of violence.   That's why the Maine Gun Safety Coalition fought to have the 72-hour waiting period passed in 2024, and contributed an amicus brief to the court in support of the law when the gun lobby sued to stop it.   If it feels like we keep making two steps forward and one step back with gun violence prevention – you're right.   The gun lobby is strong in Maine, and they are going to challenge us at every turn.    But the truth is that deaths due to gun violence have increased 49% in the last decade in Maine, and no matter how much the gun lobby fights, we are going to fight harder.    We're fighting to protect Maine families from preventable tragedies. But advocacy, education, and legal defense isn't cheap, and we need your help to continue this critical work.   We can't do this work without your support. If you believe Maine families deserve these protections, please make a contribution to our legal defense fund today.   Together, we can keep Maine communities safe.   With resolve, Nacole Palmer, Executive Director Maine Gun Safety Coalition DONATE P.S. We are at a critical point in protecting critical gun safety progress. Let's not lose it now! Please donate today. FIND US ONLINE  Paid for by Safe Schools, Safe Communities PO Box 92, Portland, ME 04112 mainegunsafety.org  If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.