The state of Maine has always been a little strange on guns. It’s a very blue state that’s reliably voted Democrat for years, yet it also has a long history of supporting gun rights. It’s rather interesting, though not overly surprising when you consider the rich outdoor history in the state mixed with its ridiculously low crime rate.
But Lewiston threw a wrench in all of that. It was a very major mass murder all on its own, but when juxtaposed against a homicide rate that was practically non-existent before, it made a lot of people very upset and concerned.
Today, voters in the state will head to the polls to decide if they will replace the state’s “yellow flag” law, which trusts experts to make decisions, though they failed to do so in the case of Lewiston, with a red flag measure.
Two years after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, Maine residents are voting on whether to make it easier for family members to petition a court to restrict a potentially dangerous person’s access to guns.
A statewide ballot question Tuesday asks residents if they want to build on the state’s yellow flag law, which allows police officers to initiate a process to keep someone away from firearms. Approval would add Maine to more than 20 states that have a red flag law empowering family members to take the same step.
Gun safety advocates began pushing for a stricter red flag law after 18 people were killed when an Army reservist opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston in October 2023. An independent commission appointed by Maine’s governor later concluded that there were numerous opportunities for intervention by both Army officials and civilian law enforcement.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officers testified before the independent commission that they had difficulty implementing the state’s existing yellow flag law, which they described as cumbersome and time-consuming.
Of course, the fact that they were under a microscope for failing to do anything couldn’t possibly have motivated them to try and shift the blame, now could it?
I honestly don’t know that they did or if those testifying had long believed the law was too difficult to use. I just find it interesting how few seem to be looking at that testimony with even the least bit of skepticism as to potentially ulterior motives under the circumstances.
It’s too late to really try and change anyone’s mind, but it is important to make it out to the polls if you live in Maine and value your gun rights. Turnout will be critically important, and whoever rallies the most people to their cause will ultimately be the winner here.
This is going to be one of those things we’re going to be keeping an eye on, primarily because of the implications.
Maine rejected a red flag law at the polls previously, but that was before Lewiston. The question is whether people actually see the law as necessary now, and that’s going to be difficult to really tell one way or the other, even with the help of polls. Again, turnout is going to matter than just generalized support.
I hope they hold the line here, because Lewiston was a failure in so many ways that a red flag law was unlikely to actually address. Especially as it’s blatantly unconstitutional.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
Help us continue to report the truth about the Schumer Shutdown. Use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership.
Read the full article here
