As Mainers we have had the privilege of saying “that doesn't happen here” for a very long time. After the devastation that occured in Lewiston, Maine last night we all must do our part in preserving that feeling of safety in our state. 

I as a resident of Maine, am deeply concerned about the lack of effective gun safety laws in our state. We currently do not have an Extreme Risk law, or "red flag" law, that would empower families and law enforcement to prevent potential tragedies before they occur. In 2015, we took a step backward when one of our few existing gun safety laws was repealed, allowing individuals to carry concealed firearms throughout the state without requiring a permit.

Currently our Laws read as follows: 

Maine has no law requiring firearms dealers to initiate background checks prior to transferring a firearm. As a result, in Maine firearms dealers must initiate the background check required by federal law by contacting the FBI directly. Many private dealers have loop holes to surpass these. 

Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence misdemeanors, or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition.

Open and concealed carry are legal in Maine without a permit​. Any person 21 or older, or at least 18 and active duty or honorably discharged military, who can legally possess a firearm, is allowed to carry openly or concealed. In addition, Maine issues permits for reciprocity purposes.

This situation is alarming and unacceptable. The absence of common-sense firearm regulations puts us all at risk. According to data from the Giffords Law Center, states with Extreme Risk laws have seen significant decreases in firearm suicide rates - up to 13.7% in Indiana and 7.5% in Connecticut.

To become a safer state for all its residents, Maine must take immediate legislative action on implementing common sense red flag or extreme risk laws regarding firearms. We need universal federal and state background checks for every gun sale and an Extreme Risk Law enacted immediately.

Extreme Risk Laws allow people to petition for the temporary confiscation of an individual's firearms if that person is deemed to be a risk to themself or to others. Petitioners first ask a judge to issue a confiscation order. They present evidence about the risk they believe the individual poses.

These laws do not effect law abiding, mentally well citizens in anyway.

By signing this petition, you are urging our legislators to prioritize public safety over politics by implementing these life-saving measures now and preventing further situations like these going forward. If our legislators do not take action we as a collective will petition to have this issue placed on the ballot in our upcoming elections for a peoples vote.