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Michael Carpenter is a former Maine attorney general and Democratic state senator from Houlton.
The debate over so-called “red flag” laws is heating up again in Maine, so I want to be clear: If you want to protect Mainers and keep our state safe, vote No on Question 2 this fall.
Here’s why I believe this: Out-of-state advocacy groups are pouring money into our state to pressure us into adopting a policy that looks good on paper but fails in practice.
As someone who has served Maine both in the Legislature and as attorney general, I want to make one thing clear: Maine already has a strong, bipartisan law on the books — our yellow flag law, which is both effective and constitutional.
I believe the red flag law pushed in Question 2 is ineffective and potentially dangerous compared to our current law.
At first glance, it may sound like a red flag law makes it easier to remove firearms from people in crisis. But here’s the reality I see: Maine’s yellow flag law was the product of genuine compromise, crafted by Democrats, Republicans, law enforcement officers, sportsmen, and mental health professionals right here in Maine. It reflects our values: respect for individual rights, community safety, and a commitment to actually helping people in crisis.
Unlike the red flag law pushed in Question 2, our yellow flag system requires a medical evaluation, incorporates mental health treatment and ensures judicial oversight. It doesn’t just seize a firearm; it addresses the root problem and covers any dangerous weapon, whether it’s a gun, a knife, or otherwise.
Another concern with the red flag law proposal is the danger it would pose to law-abiding citizens, including law enforcement officers. When laws are written to allow for confiscation without proper safeguards, you can create volatile situations where police and citizens are put in the middle of unnecessary confrontations. It’s not just a question of legal fairness, it’s a question of safety.
The truth is this: Maine’s public safety officials, from the State Police to the commissioner of public safety, have said our yellow flag law works (citation here is the two articles linked earlier in the sentence). It has likely saved hundreds of lives over the past few years. It balances rights with responsibilities, safety with fairness. To confuse this process with an ineffective, dangerous red flag proposal would be a mistake.
I urge my fellow Mainers to vote with me this fall and to vote No on Question 2. We do not need a divisive red flag law. We need to keep strengthening and supporting our own yellow flag system, the Maine way, the bipartisan way, the right way.
