Maine Background Check Proposition, Question 3, (Gun Registration) Defeated

ammoland ^ | 9 November, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

One of the many bright spots in the 2016 elections for supporters of the Second Amendment was the defeat of Question 3 in Maine.  The question was portrayed as relatively straightforward.  From ballotpedia:

Do you want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?[8]

Question 3 was more complicated in reality.  It was three full pages long. You may read the entire proposition in a pdf file at this maine.gov page:

It does not matter much now.  A large group of independent minded Maine citizens rose up against the out of state money spent by Michael Bloomberg.  They defeated his gun control agenda. The NRA was able to send a million dollars to defend Maine’s Citizens’ rights.

As with all the propositions pushed by Michael Bloomberg, the proposition was more concerned with setting up the prerequisites for  infringements in the future than any attempt to reduce crime.

Question 3 set up a future registration system. It could have required “background checks” without requiring permanent records.  Instead, it required that every firearm be recorded by serial number on permanent federal paperwork.

It banned 18 to 20 year old citizens from legally acquiring pistols. That right had existed in Maine since it became a state.  There was no exemption in Question 3 for young adults that were in law enforcement or the military.

Bloomberg spent more than four million dollars. F

[marktwain]

The "Universal Background Check" legislation is all about setting up universal gun registration.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

If Maine had a Secretary of State and/or an AG that had ever read the Constitution of the State of Maine, Question three and others would have never seen the light of day!

[Cboldt]

This was supposed to pass by 2:1, said the news.

Most Mainers favor background checks on gun sales, poll shows - The Portland Press Herald

"The polls tightened" as the election drew closer. LOL. Lying press. Portland Press Herald is Gannett.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

One of the things that remain on the statewide agenda is helping folks in Nevada repeal their Question 1. There are several groups on the internet. Not sure if all are legit.

Dean, could you or maybe someone in NV let us know who the real good guys are and we should support?

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

I live in Maine and voted “NO” on this gun-grabbing crap.

Bloomberg spent $6 million trying to end private gun sales in Maine.

The NRA spent $1 million? I was surprised to learn that, because I saw or heard only a handful of pro-NO commercials, whereas the “Yes” gun-grabbers inundated the airwaves with commercials.

The Sheriffs of Maine did TV commercials for the “NO” side....the police chiefs did commercials for the “YES” side, i.e. Bloomturd side.