New coalition backing Maine laws to prevent gun violence

[SecularMotion]

AUGUSTA — A new coalition is backing legislation that would require background checks for private gun sales, ban high-capacity magazines and prevent people who are seriously mentally ill from buying guns.

The group, “Coalition for a Safer Maine – No More Newtowns!," was launched today at a State House press conference.

Former Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert, and former U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby are serving as co-chairs. Others include South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins, and Robert McAfee, a retired surgeon and past president of the Maine Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

The Maine Council of Churches and the Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence has also joined the group.

http://www.kjonline.com/news/Maine-coalition-to-back-laws-limiting-gun-violence.html

[ManiacJoe]

1. Need to see the details of the legislation

before being able to pass judgement on their efforts.

The marketing fluff sounds good in the headlines.

[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 discussion, debate, or due process. 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.

Regards,

Alex Giger
Naples, ME

[ManiacJoe]

4. How about a link to the actual bill text?

[jpak]

2. Good for them

Fuck the NRA

yup