Law enforcement should have seized man's guns weeks before he killed 18 in Maine, report finds
Commission criticizes law enforcement for failing to seize guns of man who carried out Maine's deadliest mass shooting.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
An independent commission found that law enforcement should have seized a man’s guns and placed him in protective custody weeks before he carried out Maine’s deadliest mass shooting. The commission criticized a sheriff’s deputy for not using a legal process to temporarily remove the individual’s guns during a mental health crisis. Family members of victims expressed frustration that preventative measures were not taken. The commission aimed to provide information for policymakers and law enforcement, with further meetings planned. The report has raised issues about access to guns by potentially dangerous individuals, but did not address broader concerns about gun control. The gunman had shown signs of mental health deterioration and potential for violence prior to the shooting, with previous warnings from family members and fellow service members going unheeded. The commission includes legal and psychological experts and was assembled by state authorities to assess the tragedy and recommend future action to prevent similar incidents.
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