Maine Votes on Gun Control Proposal Following Tragic Mass Shooting

Tue Nov 04 2025 17:41:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Residents of Maine are casting their votes on a new gun control measure aimed at preventing potential threats after a devastating mass shooting left 18 dead. The proposed law would empower family members to restrict access to firearms for individuals deemed dangerous.

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in Maine's history, residents are voting on a ballot measure that would enhance the state's yellow flag law by allowing family members to petition for a temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. Gun control advocates, including victims' families, argue this legislation could prevent future tragedies, while opponents cite concerns over rights and existing laws. Governor Mills believes current regulations sufficiently address safety.

PORTLAND, Maine (PulseWire) — Two years after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, Maine residents are voting on a proposal that seeks to make it easier for family members to petition a court to restrict a potentially dangerous person's access to guns.

The statewide ballot question on Tuesday aims to enhance the state’s existing yellow flag law, enabling family members to take action similar to what law enforcement can currently do. Approval could align Maine with more than 20 other states that have adopted similar red flag laws.

Gun safety advocates are pushing for this law in response to the tragic event in October 2023, when an Army reservist opened fire in Lewiston, claiming the lives of 18 individuals. An independent commission later highlighted missed intervention opportunities from military officials and local law enforcement.

In sworn testimonies, officers described the existing yellow flag law as cumbersome and difficult to implement, requiring them to detain potentially dangerous individuals for mental health evaluations.

The push for stronger regulations gathered momentum with emotional ads featuring victims' families, such as Arthur Barnard, who lost his son in the Lewiston attack. He stated, “People who are having a mental health crisis need help, not easy access to guns...”

Despite the advocacy, the proposed law faces opposition from Republican lawmakers, hunting groups, and some Democrats, who argue that Maine's existing laws are sufficient due to the state's low crime rate and customary gun ownership.

Maine Governor Janet Mills voiced her disapproval of the ballot measure, maintaining that the current yellow flag law was specifically designed for Maine and works effectively. Her opinion piece emphasized concerns over potential confusion and public safety risks associated with the new process.

This upcoming vote comes as legal actions related to the Lewiston shooting continue, with victims' families seeking accountability from the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense for their failure to act on previous threats posed by the shooter, Robert Card, who died by suicide days after the incident.

The debate surrounding gun control in Maine highlights the ongoing struggle between safety, rights, and the effectiveness of existing legislation amid rising calls for change following tragic events.