Group aims for 2016 Maine vote on gun sales background checks

[jpak]

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

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

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

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.

The application was also signed by Bucksport Police Chief Sean Geagan, domestic violence advocate Laurie Fogelman, Christopher Dickens of Blue Hill and Amy Fiorilli of Otis.

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[Lee-Lee]

1. Why do they always demand a burdensome process of going through a dealer

That's going to require both parties be available during business hours, the dealer have free time (a dealer isn't going to walk away from a possible customer just for your transfer fee) and pay the dealer whateve their fee for doing the paperwork is? Transfer fees can run anywhere from $25-50 per gun right in the dealers pockets.

Why can't advocates for background checks advocate a much less burdensome answer like opening up the NICS system for everyone and making it available via phone, website and even an app? The easier you make it the more likely the people are to comply.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. "Transfer fees can run anywhere from $25-50 per gun right in the dealers pockets."

Because the idea is to harass buyers with fees and delays.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Since when is Moms Demand Action a "new group"?

[Eleanors38]

4. I am not against universal B.G. checks. Presumably Maine will foot the bill...

for those private purchasers who must pay a FFL holder to run the check. The practice of a using a criminal BG test is common for job applicants in the various states, and private citizens can be charged fees for this (a job is not a guaranteed right). But the state-imposed cost of a firearm BG test can very well be construed as an undue burden on the exercise of a Constitutional Right. SEE: Poll tax.

Presumably, there is a safeguard against firearm/owner registration, as this may also come under challenge.

[alex_giger]

5. 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]

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

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