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What seems like a gun control question on the ballot in November, really is about much more than just guns. I find myself questioning the impact of the proposed law in Question 2 on Mainer’s daily lives and struggles. It changes our law in a way that provides little help for people in crisis. I encourage people to actually read the law that this question addresses.
This law is structured to take away people’s firearms, but it does not outline a way to prevent them from using other methods of harm. It additionally does not go into detail about offering a route of restoring stable mental health and the route to firearm ownership is complex. There is no regard for the institution of “protection from abuse” order in addition to just removing currently possessed firearms from the home of a potential abuser.
All of these components are completely necessary for thorough, effective, and efficient, action in civil and domestic disputes in Maine’s community.
I believe the proposed red flag law does a poor, if not dangerous, job at addressing these issues. Our current law, called a “yellow flag law,” requires an assessment from a medical professional before the removal of property. I find this more than favorable to the ballot question, which removes this requirement from the process.
Bob Roemmich
Bangor