From Seacoastonline.com & By Judi Curriejcurrie@seacoastonline.com. Proponents of the Maine referendum to close the so called “gun show loophole” say support for the measure is strong despite intense lobbying from the opposition.
Question 3, one of six referendums on the Nov. 8 ballot, asks if voters want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers.
According to the Maine Commission of Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices, seven political action committees are connected to the referendum. Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership supports Question 3 and the other six oppose the measure.
In addition to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action they are Friends of Maine Sportsmen, Gun Owners of Maine, Inc., Maine Gun Rights, Sportsman’s Alliance of Me Pac, and UBC Bad for ME.
According to David Farmer of Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership, several polls show support for the measure.
“We know that in a non-political environment there is about 80 to 90 percent support for all firearms sales requiring a background check,” Farmer said. “But we are not in a non-political environment and the gun lobby is spending and spreading misinformation about what question 3 does and doesn’t do.”
Farmer said as a result, Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership is in “campaign mode” to get information out and make the case for the referendum.
“Public polling and private polling suggests we are in a good position,” Farmer said.
Lars Dalseide, public affairs media liaison at the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, said the studies are questionable.
“When you look at the studies, there are a number of reasons to question them,” Dalseide said. “Sometimes they look at just a few years and cherry pick the data and sometimes they are not controlling for other data such as a downsizing of the police force or an overall increase in crime.”
Law enforcement reaction to the measure is mixed. According to Farmer, the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Maine Gun Safety Coalition, Maine Women’s Lobby and Maine Medical Association have endorsed Questions 3.
“The Maine chiefs have been strong supporters, the effort was led by the Bucksport Police Chief Sean Geagan,” Farmer said. “We also have the support the president of the sheriffs association Joel Merry.”
According to Dalseide, 12 out of 16 sheriffs are against the measure, including York County Sheriff Bill King, who posted his opposition on his official Facebook page Monday. King cited what many opponents have argued, the idea that criminals will still find a way to get guns.
But Farmer said statistics show background checks are effective and they work in Maine until the loophole kicks in.
“Since 1998, 5,500 domestic abusers, criminals and others have been blocked from purchasing a gun, but they can walk right out of the parking lot (of a licensed dealer) and pick up classified and find a gun,” he said. “There are more than 3,000 ads in “Uncle Henry’s” and Armslist.com every year in Maine. Private sales are booming and we know for a fact that is where criminals are going.”
According to Farmer, when Missouri repealed its background check law gun crimes went up.
“Evidence shows it is the most effective way to keep guns away from criminals,” he said. “We are not claiming it will stop all, but will make a real difference.”
Dalseide said some studies cited by supporters of Question 3 are done by long-term gun control advocates. The NRA literature also focuses on whether the exceptions that would allow individuals to loan or borrow guns are workable.
Farmer said it is hard to go up against the gun lobby because they are the most powerful and effective lobby in the country.
“What bothers me most is their claim that law-abiding citizens will go to jail. Nobody is going to jail for doing something legal,” Farmer said. “In other states that have passed similar laws the outlandish scenarios have not occurred.”
Farmer said there are more federally licensed firearms dealers in Maine than there are post offices and 98 percent of the population lives within 10 miles of a dealer.