SEATTLE, WA – Maine voters just made history by passing Question 2 — establishing a long-overdue Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law. This landmark ballot measure allows family members and law enforcement to petition the courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others — a proven, life-saving policy already working in more than 20 other states.
The vote comes almost exactly two years after the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston, which claimed 18 lives and exposed critical gaps in the state’s existing “yellow flag” law. Maine voters responded with urgency, compassion, and common sense.
Tonight’s victory is also part of a growing movement of state-based gun safety organizations passing common-sense laws state-by-state to save lives in absence of meaningful action at the federal level. Together, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility and the Maine Gun Safety Coalition are both part of a national partnership of gun violence prevention advocates advancing this work and using direct democracy to save lives when lawmakers fail.
Renee Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility in Washington State, said:
“Tonight, our partners in Maine have made history by passing an Extreme Risk Protection Order law after years of legislative stalls, and two years almost to the day since the horrific tragedy in Lewiston that took 18 lives, wounded 13, and traumatized an entire state. Maine’s victory tonight is important everywhere, because it underscores that the path to a future safer from gun violence is through passing gun violence prevention policies state-by-state, either through lawmakers or through a direct vote of the people. The Alliance for Gun Responsibility is proud to be in a national partnership with the Maine Gun Safety Coalition and other state-based organizations as we all work to save lives.”
“Tonight’s victory is first and foremost a victory for Mainers. But it’s also bigger than just us,” said Nacole Palmer, Executive Director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. “It’s part of a roadmap — a lesson — for how we enact common-sense laws to save lives and protect our communities from gun violence. After years of federal inaction — or incremental efforts that put real change on layaway — the road to creating safer communities and a safer nation runs through states like Maine, where voters have the power to take direct action on this issue when politicians fail.”
For more background on Maine’s new ERPO law and what it means for families and communities, visit www.safecommunitiesmaine.org. I’d be happy to connect you with Renée Hopkins, or our partners in Maine for further comment on the significance of this victory.