A mass shooting in Maine that left at least 18 people dead and 13 injured has propelled the state’s gun laws into the spotlight as officials continue their search for the shooter.

The suspect has yet to be taken into custody after gunning down residents at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston. Shelter in place orders were enacted in Lewiston, Lisbon and Bowdin.

Authorities identified Robert Card, a firearms instructor and Army Reserve official as a suspect. The gunman used an assault rifle — which was purchased legally — in the shootings, according to NBC News.

Maine does not bar the purchase of assault weapons, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. It also does not ban the purchase of high capacity magazines, which are typically used in mass shootings to allow for more rounds to be fired without needing to reload.

To purchase a firearm in Maine, gun owners do not need to undergo a background check or obtain a concealed weapons permit. Everytown has Maine’s gun laws ranked 25th in the country for safety.

The state has banned the carrying of firearms on K-12 schools, college campuses, some government buildings and in protests. People with felony convictions, fugitives, those who’ve been involuntarily committed or who have been convicted of an assault or other violent crimes cannot own firearms.

Maine does have fewer than the national average of gun deaths, which is 14.8 per 100,000 residents. The state’s average is 12.6.

In contrast, California, which has the highest ranking out of all states, had an average of 9 deaths per 100,000 residents. About 1.3 million people live in Maine, while 39.24 million people live in California.

In 2020, Maine passed a “yellow flag” law in hopes of removing firearms from individuals who appeared to pose a threat to the general public.

The law allows police and prosecutors to obtain a court order forcing individuals considered dangerous to turn in their weapons or bar them from purchasing them altogether.

But by May 31, it had only been used 58 times from when it was enacted, according to the Bangor Daily News.

During a press conference Thursday, Maine Gov. Janet Mills did not mention the law or legislative efforts to combat gun violence.

Rather, she said, the incident has left her “deeply saddened” and announced she’d be lowering U.S. flags and Maine flags to half-staff for five days.

“This city did not deserve this terrible assault on its citizens, on its peace of mind, on its sense of security,” Mills said. “No city does.”