Senate Republicans released a statement late Monday night, saying the Democratic majority has agreed to a hearing in the Judiciary Committee Wednesday afternoon.

GOP leadership was threatening to take the issue to court, claiming Democrats are violating state law by refusing to hold a hearing on the referendum.

Republicans oppose the “Red Flag” measure, which would make it easier for family members to have firearms taken away from people in crisis.

It’s not clear why Democrats are submitting to the Republican demand, although Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart indicated in the late-night statement that Democrats might have been influenced by gun control groups.

“Even the most rabid gun-control activists realized that breaking the law to silence their opposition was not an acceptable way to move their agenda forward,” said Stewart.

Republicans pointed to a 2019 law that requires public hearings for citizen initiatives that are headed toward statewide referendum votes, unless lawmakers formally vote to waive the requirement.

Democrats had argued that the Maine Constitution does not require the hearing and also cited legislative rules in resisting the hearing.

Republicans are expecting the proposed “red flag” legislation to draw widespread opposition in the hearing from both law enforcement and second amendment stakeholders.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the Judiciary Committee.