News

Maine Red Flag Law Supporters Rally After Signature Collection

Image of rally for Red Flag Law at the Maine State Capitol from Maine Gun Safety Coalition


Maine gun safety groups are celebrating after collecting 80,000 signatures to put a Red Flag Law on the ballot in November.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition held a rally at the state capitol Thursday where the signatures were rolled in and presented in containers.

Supporters of the Red Flag Law say it can be effective in preventing gun violence while opponents argue Maine already has a law to seize firearms temporarily which has been used 550 times since the Lewiston mass shooting.

Maine now has a yellow flag law, the only state to have one, which is meant to prevent access to guns for people who could harm themselves or others.

It requires that people undergo a mental health evaluation to determine risk before a judge can order the temporary confiscation of weapons. The yellow flag law can only by invoked by police.

Red Flag laws, which more than 20 states currently have, give family or household members, in addition to law enforcement, the ability to petition a court to temporarily remove someone’s weapons

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows now has to validate the signatures collected by gun safety groups to get the Red Flag law before voters in a referendum in November.

The gun rights groups expect strong opposition from the NRA and other gun rights organizations.

Latest Headlines

6 hours ago in Local

Potentially Deadly Virus in Dogs Reportedly Spiking in Parts of Maine

Parvovirus is also referred to as parvo, and typically affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs.

7 hours ago in Local

Sen Collins Behind Bill to Cap Monthly Insulin Costs at $35

Collins says it would directly address the root problems in the insulin market that are driving high list prices.

10 hours ago in Local

Skowhegan town manager who died last week was being investigated for sexual exploitation

The town manager in Skowhegan was under investigation for sexual exploitation before his death.

10 hours ago in Local

New Aldi to open in Portland on Thursday

The first Aldi's location in Maine is opening in Portland Thursday morning.

16 hours ago in Sports, Trending

March Madness: Here’s one thing you need to know about each of the 16 teams remaining in men’s field

Florida isn't around to defend its title anymore, but all the other top seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are still around. And many of them are winning convincingly.