Group aims for 2016 Maine vote on gun sales background checks

[SecularMotion]

AUGUSTA, Maine — A new group announced Monday it wants Mainers in November 2016 to vote on a ballot question that would require criminal background checks for all gun sales.

Gun rights activists quickly labeled the effort as an example of Maine being targeted in a national effort for more gun control laws and predicted the referendum wouldn’t be successful in gun-friendly Maine.

The Maine Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Fund submitted an application to the secretary of state’s office Monday to force a question onto the ballot with a petition drive. The group’s “Background Check Initiative” would require all sales and transfers of guns be conducted through licensed gun dealers, which would ensure criminal background checks are performed every time.

The application was filed by Judi and Wayne Richardson of South Portland, whose 25-year-old daughter, Darien, was killed during a home invasion in her Portland apartment in 2010. Her slaying remains unsolved and the gun used in the crime was transferred at a gun show without a background check, according to a news release.

http://bangordailynews.com/2015/08/24/politics/group-aims-for-2016-maine-vote-on-gun-sales-background-checks/

[Hangingon]

1. Misguided effort

It would be more effective if they pushed to improve NICS

[beevul]

2. MDA is an anti-gun group, funded by a racist megalomaniac.

Why is support for them allowed on DU?

[alex_giger]

3. Numerous Problems with 2016 Maine Universal Background Check Referendum

Dear Readers,

There are numerous problems with this upcoming Universal Background Check (UBC) Referendum. Below is a partial list of the consequences of this gun control proposal.

1. The fact is that this would take away freedoms, and impose time and money costs, on Mainers who have traditionally exercised their private sale and transfer freedoms responsibly.

2. The fact is that this referendum goes way beyond gun SALES, and also controls all but a few narrowly defined gun TRANSFERS.

For example, loaning a gun for a couple of weeks to the trusted victim of domestic abuse for personal protection would require a trip to a gun dealer to process the "transfer" - both coming AND going.

3. The fact is that police and prosecutors are already overburdened, and creating a whole new class of "victim-less crime" UBC "criminals" has no realistic chance of being fairly and uniformly enforced or prosecuted. Please see Portland Press Herald Letter to the Editor dated 02/11/16.

4. The fact is that young people aged 18-20 would have a de-facto handgun ban imposed on them by this referendum; without any debate, due process, or discussion. Please see SUN JOURNAL Letter to the Editor dated 02/04/16.

5. The fact is that former NYC Mayor Bloomberg is behind this referendum. He paid for the signature gathering, getting it on the ballot, and he will pay the millions to promote it via ads, direct mail, TV commercials, etc. He has made a mockery of the citizen's initiative process in Maine.

There are many other problems with the referendum, but I will leave the reader to ponder these five (5) concern areas on their journey to really, really understanding what this gun control referendum is about.

[GGJohn]

4. Thanks for the info,

anything the M. Bloomberg backs is suspicious to me.

[alex_giger]

5. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141320917#post1

Follow link for more info.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141320917#post1