Maine’s yellow flag law saw a notable rise in usage as police aimed to remove weapons from those deemed dangerous
Before the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston in October 2023, this law was hardly used. But after that, it jumped to about 30 times a month. By the end of 2024, it soared to between 47 and 59 times monthly.
This yellow flag law is pretty unique; it’s the only one like it in the U.S. Most other states have a simpler version called a red flag law. The yellow flag is mainly used to take guns from people who are suicidal, but it can also apply to those making threats to others.
York County Sheriff William King mentioned that as officers get more familiar with the law, it’s becoming easier to use. They’ve got better forms, families are learning more about it, and training from the Sanford Police Department is helping too.
King said Spurwink, a mental health nonprofit, has provided clear guidelines that make the process smoother for officers. He feels like they’re getting the hang of it.
Even though it’s getting easier, handling each yellow flag case still takes a lot of time. King believes it’s worth the effort.
The York County Sheriff’s Office is a prime example of this increase. They only used the law once before the Lewiston shooting but have invoked it 21 times since, with 12 of those since July.
Ben Strick from Spurwink said it’s hard to pinpoint why the law is being used more, but it’s clear that more departments are getting involved.
The law requires police to take individuals into protective custody, have them evaluated by a mental health professional, and then secure a hearing to temporarily take away their firearms.
Changes to the law in 2024 have also helped, like extending the time police have to arrange a hearing from 14 to 30 days.
Strick noted that the severity of cases hasn’t decreased, even with the increased use. The terms “suicide” or “suicidal” appeared over 300 times in the explanations for the 630 times the law was used from 2020 to early 2025.
In one instance, a 71-year-old man believed he had to shoot demons in his apartment, leading to an evacuation after police found a grenade there.
Another case involved a 39-year-old man threatening to kill his family and himself while armed.
Strick believes that the yellow flag law is saving lives, even if it’s hard to measure exactly how. Research shows that for every 17 to 23 times a red flag law is used, one suicide is prevented.
As the yellow flag law sees more use, gun reform advocates are pushing for a red flag law in Maine. They argue it would make it easier for families to remove weapons from relatives who are a danger.
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition is working to gather signatures for a ballot initiative, needing about 67,682 to get it on the ballot.
Twenty-one states have red flag laws, which can be initiated by family members or police without needing a mental health evaluation.
Margaret Groban from the Maine Gun Safety Coalition appreciates the use of the yellow flag law but feels it’s too much for law enforcement to handle.
Governor Janet Mills supports the current yellow flag system, while gun rights groups argue that it better protects the rights of gun owners.
Sheriff King is still considering whether a red flag law would be better, but he thinks the yellow flag law is doing its job. He likes that it provides immediate mental health assessments and connections to treatment.
He believes they’re preventing tragedies and enhancing public safety. King wants to see data on whether people under weapon restrictions could still acquire firearms, to ensure they’re being effective.
