Today, June 27, the Maine Secretary of State announced that the Bloomberg gun control initiative will be Question 3 on the November ballot. Question 3 would make common firearm transfers illegal unless conducted through a federally licensed firearms dealer, absent limited and narrow exceptions (so-called "universal" background checks).
This November, Mainers will have the opportunity to vote down this unnecessary and unenforceable proposal. Bloomberg’s NYC propaganda may say this is a "gun safety" measure, but we all know that this measure has nothing to do with safety or addressing crime and would only impact law-abiding Mainers. It’s important that Mainers stand up for their rights and not let New York City money influence the future of Maine!
VOTE NO ON QUESTION 3!
Click here to sign our pledge to oppose the Bloomberg Gun Control Question 3. Let’s send a clear message to Bloomberg that his attempts to restrict our Second Amendment rights are not welcome in Maine!
Question 3 Criminalizes Sales, Loans, Leases and Gifts
Question 3 claims in the title that it only pertains to gun sales, when in fact it applies to ALL firearms transfers with very limited exemptions. These exemptions are vague and misleading. For example, a firearm transfer between two law-abiding Mainers would be legal at an “established shooting range” while that same transfer would be illegal elsewhere. This will potentially turn honest, law-abiding citizens into accidental criminals!
There are already background checks for all firearms sales through licensed dealers. These dealer sales make up the vast majority of all firearms sales and are required by law to be run through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, NICS.
Question 3 Would Not Prevent Crime
It would only cause an undue burden on law-abiding Maine gun owners. Criminals by their very nature circumvent the laws. According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, 77% of inmates surveyed1 acquired their guns through theft, the black market, from drug dealers, straw purchase or family and friends.
Question 3 is Unenforceable
"Universal" background checks are not universal because criminals will never comply with these requirements. According to the National Institute of Justice, "Universal" background checks are unenforceable without requiring complete gun registration. Question 3 is an unenforceable, unfunded mandate on law-abiding citizens that will only divert law enforcement’s already scarce resources. Make no mistake, the real goal of this initiative is the registration of all firearms.
Get the Word Out!
It is important that you tell your family, friends, fellow gun owners and sportsmen to voice their strong opposition to the Bloomberg gun control initiative and vote "NO" on Question 3 in November. Don’t let Bloomberg and his money dictate your rights! If you would like more information or to volunteer please visit our NRA Frontlines website or contact your Maine Grassroots Field Coordinator, Rocco Praglowski, at [email protected] or (703) 267-1179.
[1] Planty, Michael, and Jennifer L. Truman. Firearm Violence, 1993-2011. Web.
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