Maine’s new “red flag” gun law will take effect on Saturday.
The law, which was Question 2 on the November 2025 ballot, allows for family members or law enforcement to file an “extreme risk protection order” against an individual.
If that individual is found to pose a “significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or another person by having access to a dangerous weapon,” a court can rule that their weapons be temporarily taken away.
Under Maine’s current “yellow flag” law only law enforcement can file this petition, and a medical evaluation of the individual must be made first.
The red flag law also allows for an emergency order of up to two weeks to be made before an official ruling.
And while an extreme risk protection order under the yellow flag law can only last for one year, this new law allows them to be renewed every year if deemed necessary.
Supporters say this is a better way of keeping guns away from people who shouldn’t have them. Opponents argue the law is unnecessary and could potentially restrict a person’s constitutional rights.