News

Maine Red Flag Law Supporters Rally After Signature Collection

Image of rally for Red Flag Law at the Maine State Capitol from Maine Gun Safety Coalition


Maine gun safety groups are celebrating after collecting 80,000 signatures to put a Red Flag Law on the ballot in November.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition held a rally at the state capitol Thursday where the signatures were rolled in and presented in containers.

Supporters of the Red Flag Law say it can be effective in preventing gun violence while opponents argue Maine already has a law to seize firearms temporarily which has been used 550 times since the Lewiston mass shooting.

Maine now has a yellow flag law, the only state to have one, which is meant to prevent access to guns for people who could harm themselves or others.

It requires that people undergo a mental health evaluation to determine risk before a judge can order the temporary confiscation of weapons. The yellow flag law can only by invoked by police.

Red Flag laws, which more than 20 states currently have, give family or household members, in addition to law enforcement, the ability to petition a court to temporarily remove someone’s weapons

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows now has to validate the signatures collected by gun safety groups to get the Red Flag law before voters in a referendum in November.

The gun rights groups expect strong opposition from the NRA and other gun rights organizations.

Latest Headlines

21 hours ago in Entertainment

‘Stand by Me’ stars reflect on the movie, Rob Reiner and its return to theaters 40 years later

Jerry O'Connell, Corey Feldman and Wil Wheaton were already thinking about "Stand by Me" when Rob Reiner died in December. Just a week prior, the trio spent a weekend together attending some screenings of Reiner's beloved coming-of-age film, which was about to turn 40.

21 hours ago in Sports, Trending

March Madness: Here’s one thing you need to know about each of the 16 teams remaining in men’s field

Florida isn't around to defend its title anymore, but all the other top seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are still around. And many of them are winning convincingly.

21 hours ago in Entertainment

Stephen Colbert and son will co-write a ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie

Stephen Colbert, famous devotee to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, is co-writing a "Lord of the Rings" movie with his son. Warner Bros. announced early Wednesday that Colbert will script "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past" along with series veteran Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, Colbert's son.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Here’s how to recycle those old laptops, iPhones and earbuds lying around

Many consumers are guilty of filling drawers or closets with old laptops, cellphones, fitness trackers and other electronic devices once they are no longer needed. It's hard to know where to recycle those items, or it seems costly and inconvenient.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Now a true pop star, Miley Cyrus returns to her ‘Hannah Montana’ roots to fete anniversary special

Sporting that "Hannah Montana" blond hair and bangs, Miley Cyrus went back to her roots — celebrating 20 years of the TV show that launched the career of a real-life pop star.