A Maine man, who admitted to sending racist death threats to a Black family living in his Lewiston apartment complex, will spend 30 months behind bars.

A Lewiston man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison for threatening a Black family who lived in his apartment complex. Charles Allen Barnes, 47, admitted to sending Facebook messages where he stated he was outside a neighbor's residence and threatened to kill anyone who emerged.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition and allies launched a citizen’s 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,