Gun owners' rights groups are vowing to file a lawsuit unless Democratic lawmakers hold a public hearing on a ballot initiative proposing a "red flag" gun law in Maine.

Republican lawmakers and representatives of three gun owners' rights groups are accusing Democratic legislators of blatantly ignoring a state law that requires the Legislature to hold public hearings on citizen-initiated ballot questions. This fall, Maine residents will likely vote on a "red flag" ballot question that would allow family members to directly petition a judge to force dangerous individuals to temporarily relinquish their guns.

The Democratic co-chairs of the Judiciary Committee say Maine's Constitution doesn't require a public hearing — and the Constitution supersedes state law. But the decision to forgo a p

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