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Maine U.S. senators signal support for restrictions on semi-automatic rifles

Maine U.S. senators signal support for restrictions on semi-automatic rifles

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins would likely back an effort to raise the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles.

That’s what their offices said on Thursday. The house passed a bill Wednesday that would raise the minimum age to purchase those weapons from 18 to 21.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Sen. King said through an aide that he would support raising the age to buy semi-automatic rifles if such a measure came before the Senate.

A spokesperson for Susan Collins said the Republican senator “is open” to raising the minimum age to 21, or “some form of waiting period, and juvenile records checks for those under 21.”

Congressman Jared Golden, who represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, was one of only two Democrats who opposed the bill in the U.S. House.

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