MAINE, USA — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins introduced new legislation Monday that would require the military to use state crisis intervention laws to remove weapons from service members who are deemed a serious threat to themselves or others.
"My goal is simply to save lives," Collins told NEWS CENTER Maine.
The Armed Forces Crisis Intervention Notification Act, co-sponsored by independent U.S. Sen. Angus King, follows the independent commission investigating the Lewiston mass shootings last October that killed 18 people. In its final report, the commission found the Army Reserve and local police failed to take advantage of the state's crisis intervention laws.
In Maine, Collins' bill would require the military to comply with the state's yellow flag law, which can be used to temporarily restrict someone's access to their weapons after a process including a mental health evaluation and a judge's signature.
"It would make our communities safer, and it would also help that service member who's in crisis get the assistance that he or she needs," Collins said.
At its core, the senator said the law aims to address missed opportunities by the military and local law enforced to intervene before an army reservist opened fire in Lewiston.
"If going forward we can lessen the chances of some tragedy like this of ever happening again, it seems to me that the legislation would accomplish those goals and is worthwhile," Collins said.