Yellow flag laws:
In 2019, Maine signed its “yellow flag” law, allowing law enforcement to detain an individual who is suspected of being mentally ill and a possible danger to themselves and/or others. Police must initially have a medical practitioner (doctor) evaluate the individual, find them to be a threat or a danger, only then can a judge be petitioned to order the individual’s guns to be confiscated. The “yellow flag” law in Maine allows only law enforcement to petition a judge not family members. The state does not have a “red flag” law.
In Maine, people aged 21 and older are not required to get a permit in order to purchase, carry or possess a rifle, just like the AR15 used in the latest mass shooting, this time in Lewiston.
Red flag laws:
Under individual state laws, courts are authorized to permit law enforcement to temporarily confiscate guns from individuals who are found by a judge to be a threat or danger to themselves and/or others. The request for this particular protective order can come from concerned relatives or friends whose loved one has talked of suicide or shooting others. Law enforcement may also petition a judge.
Here in New Hampshire we have no such laws, nor do we require permits for concealed or open carry for individuals who legally own guns. There is no required waiting period to buy a gun, nor is there a minimum age to own one. Federal law prohibits handgun ownership for those under the age of 18, however if your 6 year old is really hankering for Santa Claus to bring him a rifle this year, that’s perfectly acceptable.
Upon hearing about the latest United States mass shooting, Republicans in the NH House just shrugged it off. House Speaker Sherman Packard stated it was horrible but not a reason for gun reform here. Another representative from Windham, Bob Lynn (R) acknowledged it was a “terrible tragedy” but his mind hasn’t changed on firearms policy. He thinks the problem is the individual, not the gun and NH should be readily enforcing its regulations. But it sounds like NH has no existing regulations so what is this guy referring to?
Sen. Kevin Avard (R-Nashua) is right about mental health needing to be more strongly addressed, however, he too, feels limiting gun ownership is not the solution, cavalierly stating, “If people want to kill, they’re going to find a way to do it.”
Sigh . . .
According to a January press release from Congressman Chris Pappas (D), “The state is receiving more than $1.3 million dollars for mental health programs, including to support teens in rural communities and reduce youth suicide.” This is through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed into law on June 25, 2022 by President Joe Biden.
Let’s hope our current legislature puts some of that federal monies to good use so we, here in NH, don’t ever have to witness what so many others (to many others) already have.
Uvalde: AR-15
Buffalo: AR-15
Boulder: AR-15
Orlando: AR-15
Parkland: AR-15
Nashville: AR-15
Las Vegas: AR-15
Sandy Hook: AR-15
San Bernardino: AR-15
Midland/Odessa: AR-15
Colorado Springs: AR-15
Poway Synagogue: AR-15
Tree of Life Synagogue: AR-15
Lewiston: AR-15
New Hampshire lawmakers react to Lewiston shootings | New Hampshire Public Radio (nhpr.org)