letter to the editor

Vote no on Question 3

Tue, 10/11/2016 - 11:45am

Dear Editor:

Question 3 has been the most talked about referendum on this year’s ballot. Its supporters look to mandate background checks on every private sale OR transfer of firearms. Forget that this law will be unenforceable as well as ineffective without a comprehensive registry of all firearms in Maine. Disregard the fact that it will make criminals of otherwise law abiding citizens for doing what they have been doing legally for generations, loaning each other firearms. Suspend all disbelief and buy the myth that somehow this bill will force criminals to suddenly follow the law and finally accept the lie that it is presently legal to sell a firearm, any firearm, to anyone from outside our own state.

Instead look at where the idea, promotion and funding for this intrusion into our way of life comes from. The Yes on 3 initiative is funded in very large part by organizations started and funded by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg. He has made it his mission to make the private ownership of firearms, if not completely illegal then as inconvenient as possible. Towards this effort he has pledged 50 million dollars and several of those millions have already poured into our state. I find it odd that many of the same people who are pushing for this latest infringement on our rights are the same people who pushed to expand “Clean” election funds to keep, and I quote, “Big out of state money” out of Maine politics. It is hypocrisy at its worst to then accept Bloomberg’s millions to push a law to solve a problem Maine doesn’t have.

Laws like that contained in Question 3 have been proven not to work as promoted. At least two states have seen an increase in violent crime since their passing the law. One state has seen little to no increase in background checks indicating that it is a law no one is following and police are unable to enforce.

I urge your readers to read the law. For more information they can go to ubcbadforme.org

Sarah Sample

Boothbay Harbor