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Maine: "Ghost Gun" Bill Attempts to Sneak Universal Background Checks Into Law

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Maine: "Ghost Gun" Bill Attempts to Sneak Universal Background Checks Into Law

On Wednesday, March 26th, the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary will hold a public hearing on LD 1126, also known as Maine's "ghost gun" bill. As expected, this Portland-backed radical gun control bill is not all that it seems and includes dangerous hidden provisions that would significantly alter Maine's gun laws. NRA members and gun rights supporters are encouraged to contact committee members NOW and urge them to oppose all anti-gun bills this session.

LD 1126, the so-called "ghost gun bill," claims to assist law enforcement by requiring serialization of all "firearms" in Maine. Beyond the obvious logical flaws of this bill, such as assuming that criminals will serialize firearms they are planning to use in a crime, this bill also includes more sinister provisions that will greatly impact law-abiding Maine gun owners.

As written, LD 1126 would implement Universal Background Checks in Maine. If passed, this bill would override Maine's current background check law that requires all advertised sales to be completed through an FFL. This is because LD 1126 lists the "Purchase a frame or receiver imprinted with a serial number without undergoing a background check pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 922(t) or Title 15, section 395," as prohibited conduct in Maine. This means that all firearm sales (excluding unserialized pre-1968 firearms) would be required to undergo a background check in Maine. 

As Mainers already know, the Universal Background Check scheme only impacts law-abiding Mainers from selling and transferring firearms to individuals they already know are not prohibited. Criminals will ignore this law and continue to obtain firearms illegally. That is why they shot down Mike Bloomberg’s million-dollar Universal Background Check scheme in 2016, and bipartisan lawmakers vote this perennial proposal down every time it comes to the floor

Beyond fundamentally changing Maine's background check laws, LD 1126 redefines firearms under Maine law to include both finished and unfinished receivers. This definition change also explicitly requires that all finished and unfinished frames, receivers, and homemade firearms must be serialized at an FFL. This would hinder law-abiding Mainers' ability to build and repair firearms in their homes and require them to obtain expensive serialization on firearms and firearm parts. This "ghost gun" scheme does not address criminal activity in Maine. Instead, it serves a national agenda to ban homemade firearms, which have been part of our nation's history since its inception. 

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Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

A recent case involving an Oregon man who was the subject of two “red flag” gun confiscation orders illustrates one of the many problems with the foolish policy.

A “Thought Experiment” That has Already Been Tried—And Failed

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

A “Thought Experiment” That has Already Been Tried—And Failed

Washington Post opinion columnist Megan McArdle recently wrote an article (paywall alert) exploring a “new” idea to combat violent crime where firearms are used.

Beyond Colorado: DOJ Lawsuits Herald a National Defense of the Second Amendment

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Beyond Colorado: DOJ Lawsuits Herald a National Defense of the Second Amendment

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and her newly hired brigade of Second Amendment attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division Second Amendment Section are clearly ready to work. 

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Today, April 23rd, Governor Spanberger Signed HB1525 and SB727/HB1524 into law. 

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

Monday, May 4, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

The National Rifle Association joined the Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in ...

NRA Announces State Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Thursday, May 14, 2026

NRA Announces State Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Today, the National Rifle Association announced the filing of a state lawsuit challenging Virginia’s newly enacted bans on “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds.

Canada’s Multi-Million Dollar “Red Flag” Regime: All Show, No Go

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Canada’s Multi-Million Dollar “Red Flag” Regime: All Show, No Go

American “red flag” laws (“punishment now, due process later”) have been opposed for years by groups as varied as the NRA and the ACLU because of their shaky science, minimal evidentiary requirements, and significant erosions of constitutional ...

Connecticut Senate Rams Through Unconstitutional Pistol Ban in Dead of Night

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Connecticut Senate Rams Through Unconstitutional Pistol Ban in Dead of Night

Last night, in the early morning hours of May 6th, progressives in the Connecticut Senate passed H5043, the Governor's bill banning future manufacture, sale, and importation of many commonly owned handguns in Connecticut.

Pennsylvania: Pair of Pro-Gun Bills Advance In Senate

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Pennsylvania: Pair of Pro-Gun Bills Advance In Senate

Wednesday, May 6 was a big day in Harrisburg for gun owners as the Senate took action on a couple important gun bills.  

NRA Files Amicus Brief Arguing that Firearm Prohibitions for Nonviolent Felons Violate the Second Amendment

Thursday, May 7, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Arguing that Firearm Prohibitions for Nonviolent Felons Violate the Second Amendment

Today, the National Rifle Association, along with the Firearms Policy Coalition and FPC Action Foundation, filed an amicus brief in Atkinson v. Blanche, a challenge to the federal lifetime prohibition on firearms possession by nonviolent felons.

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.