Months after Maine's deadliest mass shooting, state lawmakers held a hearing to discuss a red flag bill that would allow family members to petition a judge to remove guns from individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis. This proposal comes after a gunman killed 18 people last fall amid signs of deteriorating mental health.
Supporters argue that the bill is crucial in preventing similar tragedies, while critics express concerns about potential infringements on constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.
An independent commission investigating the shooting recommended that police could have used the existing 'yellow flag' law to seize guns from the shooter, who was found dead by suicide after the incident.
The proposed bill would enable family members, household members, or law enforcement officers to request a crisis intervention order if an individual has shown signs of harming others or themselves. The order would prohibit the person from buying or possessing a gun.
Full crisis intervention orders would require a court hearing within 14 days and last for one year. In cases of imminent threat, emergency crisis intervention could be implemented within hours without prior notice to the individual.
Advocates believe that the bill strikes a balance between protecting public safety and upholding constitutional liberties. However, opponents, including gun owners, argue that the legislation is excessive and fails to address the root causes of violence.
The current yellow flag law, which requires police to take individuals into protective custody, was implemented in 2020 as an alternative to a red flag law. Some believe that the yellow flag law should have been applied in the previous mass shooting incident.
Healthcare providers have also joined the conversation, with some forming groups to advocate for strategies to address gun violence, including supporting the red flag proposal.
As the debate continues, Maine lawmakers face the challenge of balancing public safety concerns with individual rights in addressing gun violence.
