Maine's New 'Red Flag' Law Begins this Weekend

In November 2025, Maine voters approved a new “red flag” law that is intended to complement existing, more restrictive “yellow flag” laws.

The new law goes into effect Saturday, Feb. 21 and allows family members to ask a judge to temporarily remove firearms from someone they believe poses a danger to themselves or others, without having to first go through police.

Petitioners: Family members, household members, and law enforcement can directly request an Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
Process: A court reviews evidence to determine if a person poses a danger, which can lead to a temporary,, court-ordered removal of firearms.
Goal: To prevent suicides and homicides by temporarily limiting access to weapons for individuals in crisis.
Context: Passed following the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston, this law allows for faster intervention compared to the previously existing, more complex yellow flag process.

Maine is now the the 22nd state to implement a “red flag” law.

Maine's new “red flag” law takes effect on Saturday. It will allow family members to ask a judge to temporarily remove firearms from someone they believe poses a danger to themself or others without having to first go through police.

DETAILS: https://t.co/onGWXNiqbF pic.twitter.com/pqIqPeciky

— CBS 13 News (@WGME) February 20, 2026