Gun control continues to advance at the state level

[SecularMotion]

Gun control group submits petitions for Maine ballot measure

AUGUSTA — Maine election officials are verifying petitions for a ballot measure requiring criminal background checks for all private gun sales in the state.

The group Maine Moms Demand Action submitted petitions to the Secretary of State’s office Tuesday. Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn says the group claimed it has more than 72,000 signatures certified by cities and towns.

Flynn’s office has until Feb. 18 to verify the petitions. The group needs 61,123 valid signatures to send the measure to the state ballot in November.

If certified for the Maine ballot, the campaign to expand Maine’s background check requirements is expected to draw considerable interest – and money – from gun control advocates and gun owners’ rights groups in Maine and around the country.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/01/20/gun-control-group-submits-petitions-for-maine-ballot-measure/

[ileus]

1. How many groups does Bloomie fund?

Hopefully the people of Maine will tell them to fuck off.

[DonP]

2. For those who don't speak fluent Gun Controlese: "Gun Control Advances" = "We have some petitions"

Last edited Thu Jan 21, 2016, 06:24 PM - Edit history (1)

That's what passes for success in gun control these days? Pretty desperate times for gun grabbers.

Nothing passed in the legislature, no court victory, some signed petitions funded by Bloomberg now being reviewed for valid signatures is a big "Win"!

[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.

[alex_giger]

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

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

[GreydeeThos]

4. Flynn's office has until Feb. 18 to verify the petitions

How did the verification turn out?

[ileus]

6. Hopefully the citizens will slap down the astro turf groups BS.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

7. Constitutional Carry

Bills can be introduced. Most go nowhere. Maine has had Constitutional Carry since New Year's 2016. Prior to that, open carry w/o license was fully legal. Permit to carry concealed - even for non residents - not difficult at all to get.

I would not be cutting the celebratory gun-control cake in Maine just yet.