We support a “Yes” vote on Question 2 this November. This law will allow families to initiate an Extreme Risk Protection Order directly from a judge when a loved one with weapons shows signs of becoming a risk to self or others.
ERPOs, also known as “red flag” laws, exist in 21 states, often initiated following mass shootings or an increase in suicide by firearms.
The Lewiston tragedy highlighted the ineffectiveness of our current “yellow flag” law. If Robert Card’s family members could have sought a judge’s order to temporarily seize weapons, 18 deaths might have been prevented.
This law will not take away our guns. This law will help prevent the person owning the gun from killing themselves or others.
Suzi Van Wye and Richard Barnes
Cape Elizabeth
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