Legislature to hold public hearing tomorrow on Dion “red flag” bill

AUGUSTA — A bill from Sen. Mark Dion, D-Portland, to increase the identification of high-risk individuals and increase the capacity of communities to address these risks will receive a public hearing on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 1:00 PM in the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

LD 1884, “An Act To Create a Community Protection Order To Allow Courts To Prevent High-risk Individuals from Possessing Firearms,” offers an avenue for law enforcement or concerned individuals to petition the courts to temporarily remove weapons from a high-risk individual, who potentially poses a threat to others or themselves. This proposed legislation comes in response to recent school shootings and a heated debate about gun violence across the state and country.

“This legislation seeks to offer a balance between protecting our children and communities, as well as respecting the second amendment rights of responsible gun owners,” said Sen. Dion. “While I am pleased that this bill has already garnered initial bipartisan support, I am hopeful that the rest of my colleagues in the Legislature can join me in passing this reasonable, commonsense legislation.”

The Community Protection Order would permit the court to temporarily remove weapons from an individual, who has demonstrated a clear, pattern of concerning behavior that seems to escalate. After 21 days, the individual would appear in court for a hearing. The order is designed to ensure that temporary removal of weapons would be directed and vetted solely by the court.

Six Republicans and four Democrats, including Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, have signed onto the legislation as cosponsors. The public hearing will take place in the State House room 438.

WHAT: Public hearing on Sen. Mark  Dion’s “red flag” bill

WHO: Sen. Mark Dion, D-Portland

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 3

WHERE: Judiciary Committee Room, State House, Room 438

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