Everytown for Gun Safety Releases 2026 State Gun Law Rankings, Maine’s Ranking Increases by Two After Voters Approve Ballot Measure to Implement a ‘Red Flag’ Law

AUGUSTA, Maine – Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund launched the updated “Gun Law Rankings” for 2026, an online tool and website that ranks all 50 states based on the strength of their gun laws and catalogs gun safety laws state by state. This year, Everytown’s state gun law rankings also shows whether states’ rankings increased or decreased over the past year, reflecting action to pass common-sense gun safety policies or gun-lobby backed dangerous measures, like permitless carry. Everytown’s analysis found that Maine ranks 21st in the nation for its gun laws and saw a 2 spot increase in its state gun law ranking over the past year. Since the deadly mass shooting in Lewiston in 2024, Maine has climbed in the national ranking due to progress made by lawmakers, community partners, and gun-sense voters.

In the immediate wake of the Lewiston mass shooting, lawmakers in Augusta took several significant steps to bolster the state’s gun safety laws. During the 2024 legislative session, the state mandated background checks on advertised and gun-show sales, established a 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales, and created a state Office of Violence Prevention. Lawmakers also strengthened the existing “yellow flag” law, making it easier for police to take dangerous individuals into protective custody.

Despite this historic progress, the legislature stopped short of passing a full “red flag” law, leaving what many advocates felt was a critical gap in the state’s safety net. This legislative impasse set the stage for the 2025 election, where Maine voters took the issue into their own hands. By bypassing the legislature through a ballot measure, a decisive majority of Mainers overwhelmingly approved the enactment of a “red flag” law in November.

Following this voter-led mandate, Maine enters 2026 ranked 21st in the nation for gun law strength. This steady climb since 2024 reflects a state transformed by a commitment to public safety and a clear mandate from its citizens in the wake of a deadly and preventable mass shooting.

“Again and again, Mainers have sent a resounding message to our lawmakers that gun safety must be a priority,” said Janie Sweeney, a volunteer with the Maine chapter of Moms Demand Action. “By overwhelmingly passing the ballot measure to enact a ‘red flag’ law, we’ve closed a dangerous gap and secured a safer future for our children. This is what happens when a community refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“When gun violence is the leading cause of death for our generation, students like me have no choice but to get loud and demand action. We’ve been organizing and testifying for years, and seeing Maine climb multiple spots in the national rankings since 2024 is proof that our voices are working,” said Lianna Holden, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in Maine. “The steps lawmakers took after Lewiston were an important start, but Mainers knew we couldn’t stop there. With a strong ‘red flag’ law now on the books, we’re one step closer to making sure every community across our state is safe from gun violence.”

To speak with an expert about Everytown’s State Gun Law Rankings or gun violence prevention efforts in Maine, please contact [email protected]