Maine Senate narrowly supports expanded background checks, 72-hour waiting period [Video]

The Maine Senate endorsed a series of bills Friday night that would require mandatory background checks for private gun sales, create a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases and ban bump stocks and other rapid-fire devices.

The Senate also voted to study whether the state should allow residents to voluntarily waive their rights to purchase or receive firearms. A bill that would allow civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers who irresponsibly market and sell firearms failed.

All of the bills will face additional votes before being sent to the governor’s desk.

This week has seen the first floor votes on gun legislation since the mass shooting in Lewiston, where Robert Card used an assault-style semi-automatic gun to kill 18 people and injure 13 others in October. The shooting has added urgency to calls for stricter gun laws in Maine, which have been the topic of significant feedback and input from advocates and opponents this …