11/07/2025
Red Flag Gun Confiscation has passed in Maine despite strong law enforcement opposition. Please read below: the constitution matters. Inherent rights matter.
"While MLEC respects the will of Maine voters, the coalition continues to express deep concerns that the new law weakens due-process protections, undermines constitutional rights, and places law-enforcement officers in dangerous and uncertain situations. "
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 5, 2025
Contact: Julie Smith
Phone: 207-558-2148
Email: [email protected]
Maine Law Enforcement Coalition Responds to Passage of Question 2, Reaffirms Commitment to Public Safety and Constitutional Rights
AUGUSTA, MAINE — The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition (MLEC) — representing the Maine Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Maine State Law Enforcement Association, the Maine Association of Police, and the Maine State Troopers Association — today issued a statement following the passage of Question 2, the so-called “red flag” law.
While MLEC respects the will of Maine voters, the coalition continues to express deep concerns that the new law weakens due-process protections, undermines constitutional rights, and places law-enforcement officers in dangerous and uncertain situations.
“We respect the outcome of this election,” said Joe Bureau, President of the Maine State Troopers Association. “But our position has not changed. Question 2 expands government authority to seize firearms in ways that risk violating constitutional safeguards and create confusion in the field — for both citizens and officers.”
Concerns About Implementation and Officer Safety
The coalition emphasizes that Maine’s existing “yellow flag” law already strikes an effective balance between public safety and due process by requiring medical evaluation and judicial oversight before any firearm removal. MLEC believes replacing that system with a red-flag framework threatens that balance.
“Maine’s current system has worked,” said Mike Edes, Executive Director of the Maine Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police. “It protects rights while allowing swift intervention when there’s a genuine threat. The new law eliminates key guardrails that kept both citizens and officers safe.”
MLEC warns that without the structured process of the yellow-flag law, officers may face more volatile and unpredictable encounters during firearm-seizure operations — increasing the risk of confrontation and violence.
A Call for Vigilance and Legislative Review
The coalition urges lawmakers to closely monitor the law’s rollout and to address any unintended consequences that arise.
“Law enforcement officers will always uphold the law and protect our communities,” said Paul Gaspar, Executive Director of the Maine Association of Police. “But we also have a duty to speak up when new policies compromise safety or constitutional rights. The passage of Question 2 doesn’t end the conversation — it begins a new responsibility to ensure Maine’s laws are both effective and just.”
MLEC encourages the Legislature to strengthen Maine’s mental-health resources, invest in crisis-response programs, and maintain due-process safeguards that protect citizens and officers alike.
About the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition
The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition (MLEC) is a unified voice for the men and women who protect and serve Maine’s communities. It includes the Maine Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Maine State Law Enforcement Association, the Maine Association of Police, and the Maine State Troopers Association. Together, these organizations represent thousands of law-enforcement professionals dedicated to public safety, accountability, and the rule of law.
For media inquiries, contact: Julie Smith | 207-558-2148 | [email protected]
