Maine courts see surge in gun seizure requests after mass shooting

Following the deadliest mass shooting in Maine's history, there has been a significant increase in law enforcement requests for gun seizures from individuals considered a danger to themselves or others. This surge is attributed to the strengthening of Maine's extreme risk protection order law after the tragic event, which resulted in 18 fatalities in Lewiston last October. Governor Janet Mills reported that the law has been utilized 15 times more frequently than in the previous three years, indicating a heightened awareness and responsiveness among law enforcement officers. Gun control advocates emphasize the importance of these yellow flag and red flag laws in preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals with serious mental health issues. However, some members of the gun lobby argue that such measures infringe upon constitutional rights. The governor's comments followed the release of a state police report that analyzed the response to the mass shooting and provided recommendations for improving tactical responses and incident management. The report highlighted missed opportunities by both the Army Reserve and police to intervene in the shooter's deteriorating mental health and to initiate gun seizure procedures. Mills criticized the failure of judgment that contributed to the tragedy, underscoring the need for accountability and improved protocols. In addition to addressing failures, the report also acknowledged instances where law enforcement met best practice standards. An independent review of the report will be conducted by the New England State Police Administrators Compact, aiming to enhance future responses to similar incidents.