As an educator and supporter of the Second Amendment, I encourage fellow Mainers to vote “Yes” on Question 2 this November. The Extreme Risk Protection Order or red flag law will protect our communities by enabling family or friends of a person in mental crisis to go directly to court to temporarily restrict that person’s access to firearms.

Guns are especially tempting to adolescents and young adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, irrationality or thoughts of revenge. They often believe their problems can be solved with a gunshot.

I have personally experienced the tragedies of suicide and murder by firearms. In the past, when authorities were alerted about a person’s threats or suicide ideation, they could only initiate a long process to measure that person’s mental health. A red flag law would shorten that process and, in doing so, make communities and our children safer.

Mary Trottier
Old Orchard Beach