Maine weighs taking guns from some individuals

AUGUSTA — Maine could allow police to take guns from certain individuals under Democratic gun control legislation that was scrutinized in a legislative committee Wednesday. 

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee initially voted 6-5 Wednesday to support amended legislation, which could face House and Senate votes. Six Democrats in attendance voted in favor, while one Democrat, three Republicans and one independent lawmaker voted against the bill. 

Supporters say Maine must keep firearms away from people in crisis, pointing to domestic homicides and Maine’s rising firearm suicides . 

But gun control efforts have long faltered in the largely rural state, where hunters tout a long history of responsible gun ownership.