Stephen King gives to Maine gun control coalition

Stephen King gives 'substantial donation' to Maine group advocating for stricter gun control

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Stephen King and his wife have made a donation to a Maine group advocating for stricter gun control laws.

King says the gift was "five figures" but doesn't want to say more about it because "charity's supposed to be a private thing."

The Coalition for a Safer Maine says King is a gun owner and a defender of the Second Amendment who supports expanded background checks on gun sales and a ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines. It says the "substantial contribution" from the "Salem's Lot" author and fellow author Tabitha King will help fund its advocacy efforts.

The Maine Legislature this week is considering several gun control bills.

After the deadly Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting in December, Stephen King wrote a best-selling e-book called "Guns," discussing his thoughts on gun control and gun rights.