Between July 1, 2020, when the yellow flag law went into effect, and Oct. 25, 2023, the day of the Lewiston shootings, agencies had completed just 80 orders — an average of two orders per month.

Maine is the only state with a yellow flag law. The yellow flag law, which took effect in 2020, has been used 881 times, according to Reid's testimony.

Jan. 13—Maine's utilization of its unique yellow flag law spiked in the final months of 2024 as police agencies sought to remove weapons from people who pose a danger. Though authorities used it ...

Supporters of a second referendum, to create a red flag law in Maine, also have outspent opponents ahead of the November election.

Instead, U.S. Army officials and Maine police officers failed to act, in part because a substitute “yellow flag” flag passed at the behest of Gov. Janet Mills wasn’t well understood.

The Maine Atlas Project is inviting members of the public to weigh in with their nominations that represent the state’s unique cultural, natural and historic assets.

The proposed red flag law would allow family members to petition the court for removal of weapons. It wouldn’t require a mental health assessment, which Maine’s current yellow flag law mandates.