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Maine voters approve red flag gun law after mass shooting that killed 18
Maine voters approved the red flag law 60% to 40% to strengthen gun restrictions for those deemed dangerous after the state's deadliest mass shooting in 2023.
- On Tuesday, a statewide ballot question asked Maine residents whether to build on the state's yellow flag law, with campaigners promoting `Vote 'Yes on 2'` to change petition rules.
- Gun safety advocates began pushing for a stricter law following the Lewiston killings, where an Army reservist killed 18 in the October 2023 attack; an independent commission found missed intervention chances and said the yellow flag law was cumbersome.
- A Department of Defense watchdog report cited failures to report violent threats by service members; survivors and family members sued the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, saying Army reservist Robert Card's mental-health decline was known.
- Approval would add Maine to more than 20 states with red flag laws allowing family members to seek court orders, contrasting the yellow flag law requiring police custody for evaluations.
- Facing resistance, opponents from across the political spectrum argued Question 2 could undermine safety, with Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Republicans, hunting groups, and gun-rights organizations opposing the measure.
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36 Articles
Question 2 passes, establishing a red flag law in Maine
By passing Question 2, Maine voters established a law that allows courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family or household members show the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others.
·Portland, United States
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Maine voters grapple with gun control measure two years after state’s deadliest mass shooting
A statewide ballot question in Maine 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.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources36
Leaning Left17Leaning Right2Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Left
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
55% Left
L 55%
C 39%
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