This bill amends the law governing the disposition of firearms that have been forfeited to the State as a mandatory part of a criminal sentence under the general sentencing provisions of the Maine Criminal Code. Current law requires that forfeited firearms used in commission of a murder or unlawful homicide crime be destroyed by the State. The bill extends the requirement to all firearms that have been forfeited as mandated by the general sentencing provisions of the Maine Criminal Code. The bill also eliminates one of the exceptions to mandatory forfeiture applying to cases in which the firearm subject to forfeiture is rightfully owned by another person. The bill amends the provision of law governing forfeiture of firearms within the Maine Juvenile Code to align with the general sentencing provisions as amended by this bill. Finally, the bill amends the relevant asset forfeiture laws to align with the narrowed exception for 3rd-party claims to firearms subject to forfeiture as provided by this bill.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2086, SP 879: 15.3314, 15.5826, 17-A.1504