By John Petrolino

District 2 Congressional candidate Matthew Dunlap says he supports the Second Amendment and is a gun owner. However, he's gone on the record saying Maine's "red flag" law is "promising."

The Maine District 2 Congressional race could boil down to the candidates and their Second Amendment views. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden is not seeking reelection. In a district where sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters come in all political affiliations, what the candidates say and have done matters.

The frontrunners in this race are Republican former Governor Paul LePage and Democratic former Maine Secretary of State and current State Auditor Matthew Dunlap. Both candidates state they're pro Second Amendment, but it's nuanced and there's plenty to question.

Dunlap's position on the red flag law and his "F" grade from a gun rights organization needs evaluation.

Dunlap's Conversation With the Maine Women's Lobby

Through a candidate conversation, Dunlap expressed his support of Maine's red flag law. The Maine Women's Lobby asked Dunlap about his stance on so-called "gun safety" measures and he said that the passage of Question 2 was "promising" and that it would "make people safer."

He admitted that the measure was not popular enough for the legislature to pass. He said that legislative proposals failed due to "great resistance" because "some of the legal folks were concerned about how this could be misused by very enterprising and energetic divorce lawyers."

"Well, and as you know, I mean, I was chair of the Fish and Wildlife Committee, I was executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, etc." Dunlap said when speaking about the so-called "gun violence" issue in Maine. He further stated that he's a gun owner and outdoorsman.

"That said, I do think these are issues that we cannot simply draw them out. And, allow ourselves to be divided," Dunlap noted. "Everybody has to work on this issue. One of the things I think is promising is, the passage of Question 2, the Red Flag Law."

"Yellow" and "Red" Flag Laws

Prior to the adoption of "Question 2," also known as Maine's red flag law, the Pine Tree State had a "yellow flag" law. The big differences between the yellow flag and red flag provisions are levels of due process and who can apply for them.

In red flag firearm seizures, or extreme risk protection orders, there's a lack of due process. Under the state's law applicants petition to have firearms seized based on allegations. Those seizures have a low bar to meet — preponderance of the evidence — and hearings can occur ex parte (or by one side only), that is without the affected party present to defend themselves.

People who have red flag laws used against them are not afforded criminal legal protections under the Constitution. Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights are ignored because these are civil proceedings.

A Broad Definition

Applicants for a seizure order are "a family or household member, a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement officer."

"A family or household member" is a broad definition. The law allows "a former spouse or former domestic partner of the respondent, an individual presently or formerly living with the respondent as a spouse of the respondent … or an adult presently living with the respondent" to apply for a red flag order.

An angry ex romantic partner that someone lived with a decade ago could apply for a seizure order. How about a roommate where the relationship went south over bills or sharing the responsibilities of domestic chores?

Pro Second Amendment advocates would say both yellow and red flag laws are constitutionally dubious. However, the former has some protections built in for the accused. They'd also argue that red flag seizure orders are ripe for abuse, which is why the legislature never passed such a law.

Mixed Ratings From Gun Rights Organizations

Dunlap's position did not get lost on the Gun Owners of Maine. They gave Dunlap an "F" rating.

On its candidate grades page, Gun Owners of Maine said: "Matthew Dunlap is on record as opposing 'Red Flag' or Extreme Risk Protection Orders and publicly encouraged Maine voters to vote against a 'Red Flag' law. He is now quoted as saying, 'One of the things I think is promising is, the passage of Question 2, the Red Flag Law'."

Gun Owners of Maine gave Dunlap an "F," the Sportsmen's Alliance of Maine — an organization that Dunlap used to be the executive director of and "often writes for (… their) newsletter" — gave him an "A+."

The nation's leading organization when it comes to candidate grades and the Second Amendment, the National Rifle Association, gave Dunlap a "C."

Unlike the other organizations, the NRA did not offer any written commentary on Dunlap. When reached for comment, NRA Institute for Legislative Action responded by expressing concern for gun owners.

"Maine gun owners have every right to be concerned and confused about where Matt Dunlap stands on the Second Amendment," NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford said. "Dunlap supports extending the federal background-check delay on gun purchases to 30 days, accepts campaign contributions from anti-gun groups, and travels the state with politicians who want to restrict Second Amendment rights. Maine gun owners deserve a Congressman they can trust to always defend their Constitutional rights — and that candidate is clearly former Governor Paul LePage."

Dunlap Responds

Dunlap's campaign refutes the categorization that he flip-flopped and states he does not support the red flag law. However, Dunlap's representative skirted the head-on question about his comments to the Maine Women's Lobby.

“Matt Dunlap did not vote for the red flag law and does not support it," Harry Burke, Dunlap's campaign manager, said in a statement. "Matt is a lifelong sportsman and gun owner. As chair of the Legislature's Fish and Wildlife Committee, he wrote the bill that created lifetime hunting and fishing licenses in Maine. There is no one on the November ballot who has done more for Maine sportsmen and the Second Amendment than Matt Dunlap."

Former Governor LePage Weighs In

Dunlap's opponent in this race, former Governor LePage, received all "A+s" from the three organizations and has a pro Second Amendment track record as governor.

“Some people think the Second Amendment is just words on a paper," former Governor LePage said when asked for a comment. "I understand it is one of the core, fundamental freedoms within our Constitution. That’s why I consistently defended this right as Governor and I will do so as our next Congressman.”

LePage's campaign did not stop there when addressing Dunlap's comments.

“Once again, Matt Dunlap sticks his finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing when it comes to our constitutional rights," Lauren LePage, senior adviser to the LePage campaign, said. "He recently said gun confiscation is a step in the right direction. Mainers know: Paul LePage has a proven track record of protecting our rights which is why he received an A+ from SAM, the NRA and Gun Owners of Maine.”

The Choice Is Yours District 2

When given the chance to set the record straight and say, "I did not say that," or "I did not mean that," Dunlap did not. Instead, his campaign manager asserted that he's pro Second Amendment because he owns firearms, is a sportsman, and allegedly did not vote for the red flag law.

Who else was on a campaign trail and bragged about their firearm ownership?

"I have a Glock, and — I've had it for quite some time," Kamala Harris said while running for president. "My background is in law enforcement."

President Trump garnered 20 percent more votes than Harris — a nine point lead — in District 2 during the 2024 General Election. Question 2 in 2025 passed with a little over half the number of voters showing up for the election in comparison to 2024.

Matthew Dunlap has been rated A+, C, and F by Second Amendment-related organizations — the A+ from a group he's currently affiliated with and was its executive director.

Former Governor Paul LePage has straight A+s and signed into law permitless carry in Maine.

The 2024 General Midterm Election is on Nov. 3 and early voting started in Maine on Oct. 5.

John Petrolino is an award-winning journalist. Petrolino serves on the Board of Directors of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. You can visit him online and contact him at ThePenPatriot.com