Gun Lock Giveaway The Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence Foundation has distributed over 23,000 gun locks through more than 100 police and sheriff departments across the State of Maine. The response to the gun lock giveaway has been overwhelming and has established MCAHV as a leader in gun safety. We are currently seeking grants and donations to refund this critically important service. Campus and Student Safety MCAHV is actively seeking ways to prevent senseless tragedies such as those that took place at Virginia Tech, Columbine High School, and Northern Illinois University, from happening in our state. Together with a team of Media Studies students from the University of Southern Maine we held an event on canpus to honor lives lost, to raise awareness about gun violence prevention, and established of a student branch of MCAHV (see Student Branch page) at U.S.M.
Suicide Prevention MCAHV works with suicide prevention groups to reduce the number of suicides by firearms in Maine. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Maine for youth aged 15-24, claiming an average of 21 young lives per year. According to the Jason Foundation, a home with a handgun is almost 10 times more likely to have a teen suicide than a home without. If a gun is used to attempt suicide, a fatal outcome will result 78% to 90% of the time. The statistics are even more bleak for elder Maine citizens. According to the Maine Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury Surveillance Report, 70% of persons over age 65 who take their own lives in Maine do so with a firearm. Domestic Violence In Maine, on average, 54 percent of homicides with a firearm are domestic violence related. In 2000, domestic violence homicides accounted for all firearm murders. Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence successfully lobbied for legislation that allows judges to order the removal of guns from the hands of domestic abusers. We continue to work with domestic violence projects around the state to prevent gun violence by this population.
Common Sense Gun Legislation MCAHV has an active presence in the State House in Augusta. With the help of a professional lobbyist, MCAHV has supported legislation to limit access to firearms by those committting domestic abuse; to raise the minumum age for purchasing handguns; to require confiscated handguns be destroyed; to establish a 5 day waiting period before those under 21 can purchase a firearm; to close the gun show loophole; to ban the sale of semi-automatic assault rifles and the .50 caliper sniper rifle; to prohibit firearms in Maine courthouses; and to create a commission to study Maine gun safety laws.