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Maine voters approve red flag gun law after mass shooting that killed 18
The law allows families to petition courts directly to remove guns temporarily, adding to the existing police-initiated system, with 58% voter approval in the referendum.
- On Tuesday, a statewide ballot question asked Maine residents whether to build on the state's yellow flag law, with campaigners promoting `Vote 'Yes on 2'` to change petition rules.
- Gun safety advocates began pushing for a stricter law following the Lewiston killings, where an Army reservist killed 18 in the October 2023 attack; an independent commission found missed intervention chances and said the yellow flag law was cumbersome.
- A Department of Defense watchdog report cited failures to report violent threats by service members; survivors and family members sued the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, saying Army reservist Robert Card's mental-health decline was known.
- Approval would add Maine to more than 20 states with red flag laws allowing family members to seek court orders, contrasting the yellow flag law requiring police custody for evaluations.
- Facing resistance, opponents from across the political spectrum argued Question 2 could undermine safety, with Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Republicans, hunting groups, and gun-rights organizations opposing the measure.
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Maine Voters Approve Red Flag Gun Confiscation Law Despite a (D)-Governor’s Objections
iStock Maine voters have narrowly approved Question 2, a controversial ballot initiative that adds a new “red flag” gun confiscation process alongside the state’s existing “yellow flag” law—making Maine the 22nd state to adopt such legislation. What the New Law Does Under the new measure — which exists in addition to Maine’s yellow flag law — family or household members can now petition a judge directly to have someone’s firearms seized if they …
Mainers pass ballot question enacting red-flag gun law 2 years after Lewiston shooting
The 2023 Lewiston mass shooting brought new scrutiny to the state’s permissive gun laws and Tuesday’s referendum election was the first time voters have considered a firearms-related proposal since the tragedy.
·Boston, United States
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Total News Sources62
Leaning Left27Leaning Right6Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 41%
11%
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