Maine Gov. Paul LePage is joining with 12 of the state’s 16 sheriffs in speaking out against Question 3—a punitive ballot initiative that would only affect law-abiding gun owners.
“The name of this proposal is misleading,” LePage said in his weekly message to constituents. “Universal Background Checks are not ‘universal’ because criminals will never follow this law. Criminals get guns by breaking existing laws. They steal them, buy them on the black market or use straw purchasers. Less than one percent of criminals get firearms from dealers at gun shows.”
LePage added that the Michael Bloomberg-backed proposal would only affect the law-abiding.
“So don’t be fooled. Bloomberg’s proposal is not enforceable,” he said. “It’s not going to prevent criminals from having guns. And it’s not really about lawful transfers of firearms. It’s all about creating a gun registration so Michael Bloomberg and the government will know if you own a gun.”
