The new funding could fill some gaps, but bandwidth for actually using the money at the local level may remain a challenge.

The effort comes after a bill in the State Legislature this spring to establish a red flag law never gained traction.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition and allies launched a citizen initiative on Thursday to pass a “red flag” law after the state commission tasked with investigating the Lewiston mass shooting concluded that local law enforcement failed to enforce the state’s current “yellow flag” law.

Efforts are underway by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to pass a new gun law in Maine. Also read: Both Rep. Golden, Theriault claim backing of Maine sportsmen The extreme risk protection order, or the “red flag law,

The effort comes after lawmakers failed to advance a red flag proposal in the wake of the mass shooting in Lewiston last October.