AUGUSTA, Maine — A red flag bill is making its way to the full Maine Legislature after emotional testimony was shared Tuesday on the issue.
The public hearing started Friday and continued Tuesday as lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee listened to dozens more additional submissions of testimony.
Among them was Jennifer Zanca, represented by Rep. Vicki Doudera, who shared her story of being inside Schemengee's Bar and Grill during the mass shooting in Lewiston last October.
"My nature is to stay positive, but the reality is, is that I'm compromised for life," Doudera read. "Since the shooting, I started looking into gun safety laws, researching statistics about what works to keep the public the safest. I understand it's a loaded topic, and my friends have different opinions, but this is where I stand."
Where Zanca now stands, alongside many others, is with the idea of implementing a red flag law. Right now, Maine currently only has a yellow flag law in place, which requires law enforcement to start the process of taking guns away from an individual who is believed to be a threat to themselves or others. If passed, the red flag law would allow family members to go before a judge to start the process.
"Family are the people who are most likely to witness these warning signs," David Jolly, a member of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition who testified in favor of the bill, said.
A similar bill, presented by Gov. Janet Mills earlier this year, also looks to strengthen Maine's current yellow flag laws. However, some believe the revisions aren't strong enough.
"I see 2282, the red flag law, as complementing -- not replacing -- the yellow flag law, and I hope that Governor Mills will eventually see it that way as well and support it," Jolly said.
With only a few days until the end of the legislative session, some members of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition told NEWS CENTER Maine they plan on making their support known to lawmakers for the remainder of the week to encourage others to push the bill through the state house.
However, others in opposition of the bill are concerned that implementing a red flag law might step on the toes of both the second and fourth amendment. Others also brought up the possibility of family members misusing the law if it does get enacted.
"I elected you, and I pay your salary," Wendy MacDowell said in opposition during the public hearing. "And heartfelt concerns do not substantiate a warrant to intrude into my personal space, your personal space."
Members of the Judiciary Committee followed the public hearing with a work session later in the afternoon, where the bill received a divided vote.