With 58.7% approval, Maine’s new “Red Flag” expansion adds to existing law — raising alarms among law-abiding firearms owners about potential abuse.
In a recent referendum, Maine voters approved a measure allowing family or household members to petition a court to temporarily seize someone’s firearms if deemed a risk.
The law complements (rather than replaces) the state’s existing “yellow flag” statute that already gives law enforcement power to remove guns after mental-health evaluations.
The expansion is concerning because it extends confiscation powers beyond law enforcement to private individuals, undermining due process.
The fact that the vote passed with just under 60% support shows a majority backing of more gun restrictions — not among criminals, but law-abiding citizens.
Gun rights supporters warn this sets a precedent where firearm ownership becomes conditional and vulnerable to subjective judgments.
While supporters present it as a “commonsense safety” step, others view it as a slippery slope toward broader encroachments.
Instead of addressing violent criminals who already break laws, this law changes the legal landscape for responsible gun owners who comply with regulations.
This shift weakens the Constitutional safeguard of self-defense and places ordinary citizens at risk of losing firearms without the same protections afforded in criminal proceedings.
Read more at Maine Morning Star.
