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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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New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.9005C, which “enacts into law major components” of the state’s public protection and general government budget.

Oregon: Initiative Petition 28 Threat to Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Heritage One Step Closer to Reality

Friday, May 29, 2026

Oregon: Initiative Petition 28 Threat to Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Heritage One Step Closer to Reality

The criminalization of hunting and fishing is one step closer to a reality in Oregon. 

HOA Firearm Clash Augurs a Broader Legal Debate

News  

Monday, June 1, 2026

HOA Firearm Clash Augurs a Broader Legal Debate

The fight to defend Second Amendment rights is not confined to Washington, D.C., or even to the halls of state capitals.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

The National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Maryland’s ban on Glock and Glock-style handguns.

Virginia’s Semiauto Ban Hits Snag With County Enforcement Officials

News  

Monday, June 1, 2026

Virginia’s Semiauto Ban Hits Snag With County Enforcement Officials

While Virginia’s bans on “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds was signed into law on May 14, and is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, it remains to be seen ...

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. 

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

America’s Second Amendment community had some insights into the outlook of the newly confirmed ATF Director Robert Cekada, when he recently testified before the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement. 

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

Saturday, May 23, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

On Thursday, May 21, the New York Senate and Assembly used the State Budget as a vehicle to not only finance state government but also to pass a handful of their other policy priorities. 

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

On May 27th, Virginia-based gun rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) was informed by the Virginia Attorney General’s office that the Virginia State Police (VSP) would resume conducting background checks on private firearm ...

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Post Office Carry Ban

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Post Office Carry Ban

The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, and three NRA members today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal prohibition on carrying firearms at United States Post Offices.

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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.