More than a thousand weapons seized under "Extreme Risk Protection Law"

STATEWIDE -- More than one thousand dangerous weapons seizure orders have been issued under Maine’s “ extreme risk protection law.”

The law was enacted in 2019 with near unanimous support in the legislature.

It allows law enforcement who have taken individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis into protective custody and have them undergo a brief assessment by a mental health professional to determine if they are a danger to themselves or others.

They can then seek an order from a judge to temporarily remove their dangerous weapons.

Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck says quote: “Maine’s law is a life-saving tool that effectively balances a person’s due process rights under the Constitution while protecting their lives and the lives of Mainers across our state.”