Maine Governor Janet Mills once again made it clear that she does not support a “red flag” law, even as lawmakers and advocates pushed for stronger gun safety reforms during a late-night public hearing on Thursday.
This issue has been a key point of discussion since the deadly Lewiston mass shooting in October 2023, where 18 people were killed.
The public hearing, held at the State House, focused on a bill sponsored by Rep. Vicki Doudera that would allow courts to temporarily take firearms away from someone who is found to be a threat to themselves or others. This type of law is commonly known as a “red flag” law and is already in place in several other U.S. states.
During the hearing, Mills’ legal counsel read a statement on her behalf. In it, the Governor said she supports taking action to prevent gun violence, but she believes Maine’s existing “yellow flag” law is enough.
That law allows police to seek a medical evaluation of someone believed to be dangerous and, if approved, then request a court order to remove their guns.
Mills stressed that the yellow flag law balances public safety with individual rights. She also expressed concern that a red flag law could take away firearms without proper mental health evaluations and due process.
Advocates of the red flag bill, however, argued that the yellow flag law is not effective in emergencies. They say the process is too slow and complex, especially when someone is an immediate threat. Supporters also pointed to the Lewiston shooting as proof that the current system isn’t working.
Family members of some of the Lewiston shooting victims were present at the hearing. They urged lawmakers to act quickly to stop more tragedies from happening. Several shared emotional stories and said that if a red flag law had existed, lives could have been saved.
Opponents of the bill, including gun rights advocates, said the proposed changes are unnecessary and could lead to people losing their rights without strong evidence. They warned that the bill could be misused and violate Second Amendment rights.
Maine’s current yellow flag law is one of the most detailed in the country. It involves both a medical evaluation and a court order before guns can be taken away. Red flag laws in other states often allow family members or police to directly petition the court for an order, without needing a medical exam first.
Lawmakers are now reviewing the testimony from the hearing and are expected to vote on the bill in the coming weeks.
This debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety with constitutional rights in Maine and across the U.S.
As discussions continue, many eyes will be on how Maine chooses to move forward — whether it sticks with the yellow flag approach or shifts toward the more widely adopted red flag law model.