A bill that has received minimal media coverage went before the Committee of Criminal Justice and Public Safety on March 25.

LD 386, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Working Group Concerning Domestic Violence and Firearms, would authorize law enforcement officials to seize all firearms upon arrest of an individual charged with certain crimes of domestic violence.

For individuals who do have firearms removed, they would be subject to bail conditions indicating that they must refrain from possessing a firearm until further order by the court. This act is necessary to reduce the incidence and lethality of domestic violence in Maine.

The purpose of LD 386 is to ensure the victim and his/her family’s safety and eliminate the potential for domestic homicide.

Research indicates the presence of firearms in homes with domestic violence increases the risk for fatal injury. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence almost one-third of reported female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. Based on this data, there is a clear correlation between access to firearms and domestic homicides.

We hope lawmakers pass LD 386 to ensure the safety of Maine’s women, children and men.

Erin Bishop, Wilton and

Kerianne Kuliga, Portland