Maine Gun Violence Statistics & Prevention
How can we measure the impact of gun violence in Maine, and what can employers and facility managers realistically do to keep their people safe?
At Omnilert, we specialize in AI security software and emergency notification systems. We work with organizations across Maine—from Portland to Bangor and throughout our rural communities—to help prepare for worst-case security scenarios, including active shooter events.
Here, we provide objective information about gun violence in Maine and offer our insight on the limitations of traditional security systems for preventing casualty events. We’ll also examine how our AI security technology can help protect Maine’s workplaces, schools, and community spaces.
Where Does Maine Rank in Gun Violence?
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics conducts an annual survey of firearm mortality by state. So where does Maine rank for gun violence amongst all fifty states?
Gun Related Deaths: #41
200 fatalities in 2023, ranking them number 41 of 50.
Population-Based Death Rate: #27
14.0 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine
- Lewiston
- Portland
- Biddeford
- Augusta
- Presque Isle
Top 5 Safest Cities in Maine
- Cape Elizabeth
- Eliot
- Orono
- Cumberland
- Hampden
Significant Mass Shooting Events in Maine’s Recent History
While gun violence rates in Maine remain below national averages, recent events have shown that even tight-knit communities across the state must be prepared for the possibility of mass casualty incidents. A mass shooting event, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, describes an incident in which four or more people are injured by a firearm in one location around the same time.
Lexington Shootings (2023)
A shooter opened fire at a bowling alley and a local bar, killing 18 people and injuring 13 others.
Maine’s Approach to Limiting Gun Violence
Maine takes a cautious, measured approach to gun violence prevention that reflects its strong hunting tradition and Second Amendment values while attempting to address public safety concerns.
Main gun safety laws include:
- Maine’s distinctive “yellow flag” law—the only one of its kind in the nation—which requires a mental health evaluation among other steps before firearms can be temporarily removed from individuals deemed dangerous
- Expanded background checks for advertised gun sales
- A 72-hour waiting period for purchases
- Streamlined processes allowing police to go directly to a judge for warrants rather than requiring face-to-face meetings
- Strong mental health record reporting systems
The impact has been significant: between the law’s 2020 inception and the Lewiston shooting, agencies completed just 80 yellow flag orders (averaging two per month), but since the tragedy, they’ve completed 548 orders—averaging 38 per month.
Despite these efforts, Maine’s gun death rate increased 49% from 2014 to 2023, outpacing the 33% national increase, suggesting the state’s incremental approach may not be sufficient to reverse troubling trends.
Why Maine Needs Help Why Maine’s Facilities Need Better Security Solutions to Prevent Gun Violence
Most security systems today operate with inherent limitations that make them less practical for preventing a determined active shooter. On that front, these systems are better at documenting incidents than they are at actually preventing violence.
Limitations of traditional security systems for shooter prevention:
- Surveillance cameras only help with investigations after incidents occur
- Gunshot detection waits until someone’s already shooting
- Manual monitoring fails because humans can’t watch dozens of feeds effectively
- Emergency response protocols depend on someone being available to activate them
In other words, by the time traditional systems kick in, it’s often too late.
How Omnilert Can Help Using Military-Inspired AI Technology to Detect Firearms Before Shots are Fired
When seconds matter most, AI visual gun detection can identify firearms before shots are fired. Military-grade technology like Omnilert’s can integrate with your existing cameras to protect your facility and enact an automated emergency response if a threat is detected.
By themselves, security cameras can’t prevent what they can’t predict. Omnilert brings gun detection technology to facilities across the United States to transform your existing surveillance into an active threat prevention system. Instead of documenting incidents after they happen, AI-powered visual detection spots firearms the moment they appear and triggers immediate response protocols.
Benefits of Omnilert Engaging a Full-Scale Emergency Response to Active Shooters
If an imminent, active threat is confirmed, there’s no time to waste. Facilities that use Omnilert initiate an automated response across multiple technologies to help protect as many lives as possible.
Instant Notifications
Multi-channel emergency notifications instantly alert staff, security, and law enforcement.
Automated Response
Automated response workflows that trigger lockdown procedures, activate alarms, and more.
Mobile Alerts
Mobile applications that keep staff informed and connected during emergencies.
Alarm Activation
Use audio and video systems to sound alarms and deliver clear safety instructions.
Access Control
Lock or unlock doors to contain threats, secure exits, and protect vulnerable areas.
Custom Response
Engage a fully-custom response using your existing security technology.
Law Enforcement
Notify local police of an active threat or verified security incident.
Liability Protection
Omnilert’s DHS SAFETY Act designation offers liability protection.
Protecting Spaces Everywhere What Types of Maine Industries Are Vulnerable to Gun Violence?
We provide our security platform to all kinds of industries in Maine. Each environment has its own security challenges, but the core need remains the same: early threat detection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Common Questions About Maine Gun Violence Statistics
How many people die from gun violence in Maine each year?
In an average year, 175 people die from gun violence in Maine, which means that someone dies from gun violence every two days. In 2024, an estimated 181 people died from gun-related injuries.
What percentage of Maine gun deaths are suicides versus homicides?
Eighty-six percent of gun deaths in Maine are gun suicides, and 11% are gun homicides. In 2024, 87% of gun-related deaths in Maine were suicides.
How does Maine’s gun death rate compare to the national average?
In 2024, the rate of gun-related deaths in Maine was 7% lower than the overall rate of gun-related deaths in the US. In 2023, Maine had the twenty-seventh lowest gun death rate among the states.
Has Maine’s gun violence rate been increasing or decreasing?
In Maine, the rate of gun deaths increased 49% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide, indicating Maine’s rate is rising faster than the national trend.
Which county in Maine has the highest rate of gun deaths?
In 2024, the highest rate of gun-related deaths in Maine occurred in Kennebec County (19.6 per 100,000 people), while the lowest rate was in Cumberland County (7.1 per 100,000). In 2023, Androscoggin County had the highest rate at 23.9 per 100,000 people, largely due to the Lewiston mass shooting.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/state-stats/deaths/firearms.html
- https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/explainer
- https://everytownresearch.org/report/city-data/
- https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-maine/
- https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/maine/
- https://crimegrade.org/safest-places-in-maine/
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/gun-deaths-per-capita-by-state
- https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/maine/
- https://www.mainegunsafety.org/gun-violence-statistics
- https://wcyy.com/most-dangerous-places-live-maine-2024-crime/
- https://www.movoto.com/guide/me/most-dangerous-places-in-maine/
