Maine: Speaker Ryan Fecteau Denies Work Session and Blocks Countermeasure on Red Flag Referendum

Late last week, Republican leadership received word that Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) had reversed course and is now blocking a work session on Michael Bloomberg's Red Flag Referendum. This move denies any opportunity for discussion or votes on the highly unpopular Red Flag referendum and blocks the opportunity for a bipartisan countermeasure to be sent to Maine voters. 

Throughout the legislative session, Speaker Fecteau, Senator Carney, and their progressive partners have done everything in their power to shield Bloomberg's radical red flag referendum from scrutiny. For over a month, Democrat leadership refused to hold a public hearing on the ballot initiative until the NRA, Gun Owners of Maine, and the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine threatened legal action.  This eventually resulted in a public hearing that provided devastating testimony opposing the proposal from Governor Mills' administration, the Maine State Police, attorneys, and law-abiding gun owners. Now, Speaker Fecteau is attempting to avoid yet another embarrassing setback for Michael Bloomberg and the Maine Gun Safety Coalition by blocking a key public discussion and roll call vote on this radical gun confiscation scheme.

Over the next several months, Maine voters can expect similar underhanded tactics by Speaker Fecteau and his gun control allies. Sadly, it appears that these individuals will continue to prioritize the political interests of the gun control lobby over the concerns from the State Police that this law will put law enforcement officers and Maine citizens in harm's way.