Maine lawmakers are embroiled in a procedural dispute over whether to hold a public hearing for a controversial ballot initiative proposing a “red flag” gun law, which allows family members to petition the court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may pose a danger. This initiative follows heightened calls for gun safety legislation after the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston that claimed 18 lives, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Democrats and Republicans are sharply divided, with Republican members insisting that skipping a public hearing would violate state law and undermine public input. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that the state constitution does not mandate such hearings, leading to accusations of political maneuvering on both sides. Advocates for the ‘red flag’ law assert it is crucial for enhancing mental health safeguards, as existing laws restrict intervention primarily to law enforcement.
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