Background Checks ARE The Best Way

[TNHarley]

More punishment for law abiding citizens.
If anyone actually wanted to curb gun violence, they would focus on mental health and inner city violence. The majority of gun violence. Majority of gun violence done with ILLEGAL guns

Those things also need to be addressed, big time. I am not saying it is the one and only solution to gun violence. It is a sensible thing to do, though, especially if the person transferring the gun illegally (without a background check) is held equally accountable for any crimes committed with the gun. It would significantly slow the traffic of illegal weapons on the streets.

Lol ok

 

[TNHarley]

Maybe we can do extended background checks on freedom of speech, religion and the right to own property. Maybe even vote!

 

[eflatminor]

Maybe we can do extended background checks on freedom of speech, religion and the right to own property. Maybe even vote!

I say you need a background check before posting stupid shit on the internet. Sorry Old Lady, you did not pass.

 

[TNHarley]

This editorial was in the paper this morning by one of our police chiefs. Our state will be voting on universal background checks in November. Probably we're not the only one. Universal background checks do help! At least it's better than nothing.


"Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Commitment to public service is ingrained in my family’s DNA. My grandfather served the city of Portland as a lieutenant in the police force for 30 years, and my father was a captain in the city of Portland Fire Department. He died in the line of duty in 1956.

Their calling to serve the people of Maine was passed on to me when I joined the U.S. Army as a military policeman in 1969 and then the Cape Elizabeth Police Department as a patrolman. Forty-two years later, I’m the chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, an organization that represents law enforcement officers in our state.

Background checks help to protect police officers and other first responders, and they make our communities safer. For these reasons, I am committed to the expansion of background checks to all gun sales and transfers in Maine.

I wish I could say things were different, but my years of experience have shown me that bad people will do bad things. Exploiting available loopholes to get their hands on a gun is second nature to criminals. We know that background checks on all gun sales are the best, most effective way to make sure felons and other dangerous people can’t get guns easily.

Since 1998, we’ve applied the federal law that requires background checks to be conducted on gun sales at licensed firearms dealers. And it has worked. That law has stopped more than 5,500 gun sales to dangerous people in Maine, whether they be felons, domestic abusers or other prohibited people.

Still, the loophole makes it incredibly easy for them to instead find the firearm they are looking for online or in classified ads from an unlicensed dealer and buy that gun with no questions asked. As Maine Public Broadcasting Network recently reported, the unlicensed gun market in Maine is “ booming.”

Question 3 fixes this.

In the 18 states that already require background checks for all gun sales, 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns, 48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns and 46 percent fewer women are shot and killed by their intimate partners. What’s more, we’ve also seen a 48 percent reduction in gun trafficking. By comparison, in Missouri, where lawmakers in 2007 repealed a law requiring background checks on all private gun sale, saw a 25 percent spike in firearm-related homicides.

It’s indisputable that background checks work.

This is a measure that enhances public safety while protecting law enforcement officers.

I’ve also heard the anecdotal scenarios that opponents to Question 3 have offered, which, they say, point to shortcomings in the initiative. There are those who say this measure would turn law-abiding Mainers into criminals, but in the 18 states where these laws are already in place, that has not proven true. The initiative allows people to loan guns to their hunting friends and to give or sell guns to family members without a background check.

Unfortunately, as with any campaign, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Despite those vague and hypothetical scenarios, Question 3 is and should be seen as an extension of Maine’s heritage of responsible gun ownership.

No one wants criminals to have easy access to guns. By ensuring background checks are conducted for all sales and transfers of firearms, Mainers can be assured that when they are selling or transferring their gun, they know that whoever is on the receiving end is not a dangerous person. This is part and parcel of responsible gun ownership.

I’ve spent my career working side by side with the many good men and women of the Maine law enforcement community to protect and serve the people of this state. I want Maine to be safe, and I want to protect and preserve our heritage of responsible gun ownership. Question 3 does just that.

As a lifelong law enforcement officer and a proud Mainer, I urge voters to join me in voting yes on Question 3 in November.

Ed Tolan is chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, which has endorsed a “yes” vote on Question 3."

Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Stopped reading at the part where they say felons can buy on line. People who say this are liars by omission and should be dismissed as nothing more then gossip columnists.

I'm sure the Chief will be pleased to hear it. Unless you have an extensive law enforcement background, I'm more likely to take his word for it.

Why don't you look at the laws yourself?

 

[Crixus]

This editorial was in the paper this morning by one of our police chiefs. Our state will be voting on universal background checks in November. Probably we're not the only one. Universal background checks do help! At least it's better than nothing.


"Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Commitment to public service is ingrained in my family’s DNA. My grandfather served the city of Portland as a lieutenant in the police force for 30 years, and my father was a captain in the city of Portland Fire Department. He died in the line of duty in 1956.

Their calling to serve the people of Maine was passed on to me when I joined the U.S. Army as a military policeman in 1969 and then the Cape Elizabeth Police Department as a patrolman. Forty-two years later, I’m the chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, an organization that represents law enforcement officers in our state.

Background checks help to protect police officers and other first responders, and they make our communities safer. For these reasons, I am committed to the expansion of background checks to all gun sales and transfers in Maine.

I wish I could say things were different, but my years of experience have shown me that bad people will do bad things. Exploiting available loopholes to get their hands on a gun is second nature to criminals. We know that background checks on all gun sales are the best, most effective way to make sure felons and other dangerous people can’t get guns easily.

Since 1998, we’ve applied the federal law that requires background checks to be conducted on gun sales at licensed firearms dealers. And it has worked. That law has stopped more than 5,500 gun sales to dangerous people in Maine, whether they be felons, domestic abusers or other prohibited people.

Still, the loophole makes it incredibly easy for them to instead find the firearm they are looking for online or in classified ads from an unlicensed dealer and buy that gun with no questions asked. As Maine Public Broadcasting Network recently reported, the unlicensed gun market in Maine is “ booming.”

Question 3 fixes this.

In the 18 states that already require background checks for all gun sales, 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns, 48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns and 46 percent fewer women are shot and killed by their intimate partners. What’s more, we’ve also seen a 48 percent reduction in gun trafficking. By comparison, in Missouri, where lawmakers in 2007 repealed a law requiring background checks on all private gun sale, saw a 25 percent spike in firearm-related homicides.

It’s indisputable that background checks work.

This is a measure that enhances public safety while protecting law enforcement officers.

I’ve also heard the anecdotal scenarios that opponents to Question 3 have offered, which, they say, point to shortcomings in the initiative. There are those who say this measure would turn law-abiding Mainers into criminals, but in the 18 states where these laws are already in place, that has not proven true. The initiative allows people to loan guns to their hunting friends and to give or sell guns to family members without a background check.

Unfortunately, as with any campaign, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Despite those vague and hypothetical scenarios, Question 3 is and should be seen as an extension of Maine’s heritage of responsible gun ownership.

No one wants criminals to have easy access to guns. By ensuring background checks are conducted for all sales and transfers of firearms, Mainers can be assured that when they are selling or transferring their gun, they know that whoever is on the receiving end is not a dangerous person. This is part and parcel of responsible gun ownership.

I’ve spent my career working side by side with the many good men and women of the Maine law enforcement community to protect and serve the people of this state. I want Maine to be safe, and I want to protect and preserve our heritage of responsible gun ownership. Question 3 does just that.

As a lifelong law enforcement officer and a proud Mainer, I urge voters to join me in voting yes on Question 3 in November.

Ed Tolan is chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, which has endorsed a “yes” vote on Question 3."

Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Stopped reading at the part where they say felons can buy on line. People who say this are liars by omission and should be dismissed as nothing more then gossip columnists.

I'm sure the Chief will be pleased to hear it. Unless you have an extensive law enforcement background, I'm more likely to take his word for it.

The chief is nothing g more then a political sycophant licking his masters bootheel. I dealt in guns for years. More so then some soft Yankee main wannabe cop. He basically says a felon can order guns online. This is not true at all. You can order and pay for guns online all day, but unless you have an FFL you will be going through the exact same process as if you went to a gun store. Now, if I were ti go to a popular auction site I could just look around until I find a private seller in my area an bam, non transfer gun sale. See that's the issue I have with people like the chief there. He has yet to explain how any murder anywhere has been prevented by any back round check at any time.

 

[eflatminor]

It would significantly slow the traffic of illegal weapons on the streets.

This law the criminals will follow, not the hundreds if not thousands of gun laws that are already on the books, just THIS one?

California has required background checks for decades. No illegal firearms in the hands of criminals there!

Good lord woman, are you really this thick?

 

[OldLady]

48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns
What a stupid thing to say. Is jumping in front of a train better for him?

I don't think that's what he meant. If it isn't handy, maybe you'll wake up in the morning feeling better?

Police chiefs are appointed by mayors. Mayors in big cities align with which ideology, liberal or conservative? The rank and file cops tend to be more conservative.

But when was the last time you bought a gun without a background check? My guess is you are 100% in the dark.

Falmouth is the snobbiest rich little town in Maine, just outside of Portland, and has a Town Council/Town Manager, not a mayor. Sorry to burst your bubble.
As far as your final comment, why don't you enlighten me?

 

[Weatherman2020]

I'm more into addressing the root cause. You know, not cleaning the blood off the floor but treating the wound that's creating the pool of blood.

My father and his friends routinely took their rifles to school to go rabbit hunting afterwards. I think that was common for most of America at that time. Yet it wasn't until the 1960's when random shootings became the norm.

What we have is the breakdown of values, lack of community involvement, and anti Christian values being taught to our youth. THAT is the root cause that needs to be addressed.

 

[Iceweasel]

48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns
What a stupid thing to say. Is jumping in front of a train better for him?

I don't think that's what he meant. If it isn't handy, maybe you'll wake up in the morning feeling better?

Police chiefs are appointed by mayors. Mayors in big cities align with which ideology, liberal or conservative? The rank and file cops tend to be more conservative.

But when was the last time you bought a gun without a background check? My guess is you are 100% in the dark.

Falmouth is the snobbiest rich little town in Maine, just outside of Portland, and has a Town Council/Town Manager, not a mayor. Sorry to burst your bubble.
As far as your final comment, why don't you enlighten me?

Town manager? Wow, that's way different than a mayor! And the snobbery means they are liberals.

Go buy a gun and get back to us.

 

[Alystyr]

How would this proposal - or any universal background check for that matter - prevent even one of the following situations?

1) Bad Guy steals firearm
2) Bad Guy buys a firearm from a fellow Bad Guy (or even a private non-Bad Guy seller)
3) Bad Guy has spouse/sibling/etc. with a clean background buy a firearm through legal channels for them
(Bad Guy refers to a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.)

There are laws already in effect, some even Federal, that prohibit all of the listed situations, yet they still happen on a regular basis.

What needs to happen is that the penalties of said laws need to be increased to the point that the Bad Guys will feel that the risk of punishment from being caught outweighs the potential reward of possessing a firearm illegally.

 

[OldLady]

48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns
What a stupid thing to say. Is jumping in front of a train better for him?

I don't think that's what he meant. If it isn't handy, maybe you'll wake up in the morning feeling better?

Then why doesn't America, with all her firearms, not rank anywhere near the top in the list of countries by suicide rate? Further, how is it possible that 50+ countries have higher suicides rates, despite their effective bans on civilian firearm ownership? A firearm isn't "handy" in any of those countries, yet off themselves they do, at a much higher rate than gun handy America.

Sounds like facts are of no concern to you. In grown up world, emotional arguments aren't arguments at all and valuing intention over actual results, well that's just fucking insane. Hey, a recurring theme with you!

Yes, I'm quite emotional about the fact that in the 18 states where universal background checks have been enacted, there have been nearly 50% reduction in gun related DV deaths and police deaths. Explain that, Mr. Grown Up.

 

[OldLady]

48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns
What a stupid thing to say. Is jumping in front of a train better for him?

I don't think that's what he meant. If it isn't handy, maybe you'll wake up in the morning feeling better?

Police chiefs are appointed by mayors. Mayors in big cities align with which ideology, liberal or conservative? The rank and file cops tend to be more conservative.

But when was the last time you bought a gun without a background check? My guess is you are 100% in the dark.

Falmouth is the snobbiest rich little town in Maine, just outside of Portland, and has a Town Council/Town Manager, not a mayor. Sorry to burst your bubble.
As far as your final comment, why don't you enlighten me?

Town manager? Wow, that's way different than a mayor! And the snobbery means they are liberals.

Go buy a gun and get back to us.

Not helpful..

 

[Weatherman2020]

A better way is to remove dangerous people from society permanently.

Exactly. Repeat offenders seems to be the norm in every shooting.

 

[Crixus]

I'm more into addressing the root cause. You know, not cleaning the blood off the floor but treating the wound that's creating the pool of blood.

My father and his friends routinely took their rifles to school to go rabbit hunting afterwards. I think that was common for most of America at that time. Yet it wasn't until the 1960's when random shootings became the norm.

What we have is the breakdown of values, lack of community involvement, and anti Christian values being taught to our youth. THAT is the root cause that needs to be addressed.

Agree. There is also a cheapen in of life kind of thing going on to. Lives just aren't as valuable now. So you know, my shot gun was in my trunk while I was at school all during pheasant season when I was a kid. Good times.

 

[OldLady]

At least it's better than nothing.

Because we know 100% for sure that thugs, terrorists and insane people will NOT obey this or any law, how is restricting the ability of good, law abiding citizens from protecting themselves against those criminals "better"?

By your logic, you're okay with giving the bad guys an advantage. That's not better, that's fucking insane.

That's a deeply stupid argument!

As we all know, Its against the law to rob banks, yet they still get robbed most everyday of the week.

Shall we abolish the law against robbing banks, then? Serves no purpose since people will break the law?

 

[OldLady]

At least it's better than nothing.

Because we know 100% for sure that thugs, terrorists and insane people will NOT obey this or any law, how is restricting the ability of good, law abiding citizens from protecting themselves against those criminals "better"?

By your logic, you're okay with giving the bad guys an advantage. That's not better, that's fucking insane.

This law would not restrict any good, law abiding citizen from owning a weapon or protecting themselves in the least.

 

[M14 Shooter]

It’s indisputable that background checks work.

Only if you believe that correlation = causation.
/ thread

It is impossible to enforce universal background checks absent universal registration.
You probably do not realize this, but others do, especially those political leaders that push for UBC - they know it is a stepping stone to universal registration.
No one wonders why they seek universal registration.

 

[TNHarley]

48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns
What a stupid thing to say. Is jumping in front of a train better for him?

I don't think that's what he meant. If it isn't handy, maybe you'll wake up in the morning feeling better?

Then why doesn't America, with all her firearms, not rank anywhere near the top in the list of countries by suicide rate? Further, how is it possible that 50+ countries have higher suicides rates, despite their effective bans on civilian firearm ownership? A firearm isn't "handy" in any of those countries, yet off themselves they do, at a much higher rate than gun handy America.

Sounds like facts are of no concern to you. In grown up world, emotional arguments aren't arguments at all and valuing intention over actual results, well that's just fucking insane. Hey, a recurring theme with you!

Yes, I'm quite emotional about the fact that in the 18 states where universal background checks have been enacted, there have been nearly 50% reduction in gun related DV deaths and police deaths. Explain that, Mr. Grown Up.

Its simple :
Guns are a Constitutional right. Extended background checks beyond the ones WE ALREADY HAVE is nothing more than making it more difficult for responsible gun owners.
Why do you get to choose what rights we get to keep in this country? Your or that fallacious cop don't. It is CONSTITUTIONAL.
Are you ready to regulate free speech, religion, private property(even more), reasonable searches etc?

 

[TNHarley]

At least it's better than nothing.

Because we know 100% for sure that thugs, terrorists and insane people will NOT obey this or any law, how is restricting the ability of good, law abiding citizens from protecting themselves against those criminals "better"?

By your logic, you're okay with giving the bad guys an advantage. That's not better, that's fucking insane.

This law would not restrict any good, law abiding citizen from owning a weapon or protecting themselves in the least.

Do you know how to get a background check on anyone? Especially from two citizens? Do you know how much they cost?

 

[OldLady]

This editorial was in the paper this morning by one of our police chiefs. Our state will be voting on universal background checks in November. Probably we're not the only one. Universal background checks do help! At least it's better than nothing.


"Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Commitment to public service is ingrained in my family’s DNA. My grandfather served the city of Portland as a lieutenant in the police force for 30 years, and my father was a captain in the city of Portland Fire Department. He died in the line of duty in 1956.

Their calling to serve the people of Maine was passed on to me when I joined the U.S. Army as a military policeman in 1969 and then the Cape Elizabeth Police Department as a patrolman. Forty-two years later, I’m the chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, an organization that represents law enforcement officers in our state.

Background checks help to protect police officers and other first responders, and they make our communities safer. For these reasons, I am committed to the expansion of background checks to all gun sales and transfers in Maine.

I wish I could say things were different, but my years of experience have shown me that bad people will do bad things. Exploiting available loopholes to get their hands on a gun is second nature to criminals. We know that background checks on all gun sales are the best, most effective way to make sure felons and other dangerous people can’t get guns easily.

Since 1998, we’ve applied the federal law that requires background checks to be conducted on gun sales at licensed firearms dealers. And it has worked. That law has stopped more than 5,500 gun sales to dangerous people in Maine, whether they be felons, domestic abusers or other prohibited people.

Still, the loophole makes it incredibly easy for them to instead find the firearm they are looking for online or in classified ads from an unlicensed dealer and buy that gun with no questions asked. As Maine Public Broadcasting Network recently reported, the unlicensed gun market in Maine is “ booming.”

Question 3 fixes this.

In the 18 states that already require background checks for all gun sales, 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns, 48 percent fewer individuals take their own lives with guns and 46 percent fewer women are shot and killed by their intimate partners. What’s more, we’ve also seen a 48 percent reduction in gun trafficking. By comparison, in Missouri, where lawmakers in 2007 repealed a law requiring background checks on all private gun sale, saw a 25 percent spike in firearm-related homicides.

It’s indisputable that background checks work.

This is a measure that enhances public safety while protecting law enforcement officers.

I’ve also heard the anecdotal scenarios that opponents to Question 3 have offered, which, they say, point to shortcomings in the initiative. There are those who say this measure would turn law-abiding Mainers into criminals, but in the 18 states where these laws are already in place, that has not proven true. The initiative allows people to loan guns to their hunting friends and to give or sell guns to family members without a background check.

Unfortunately, as with any campaign, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. Despite those vague and hypothetical scenarios, Question 3 is and should be seen as an extension of Maine’s heritage of responsible gun ownership.

No one wants criminals to have easy access to guns. By ensuring background checks are conducted for all sales and transfers of firearms, Mainers can be assured that when they are selling or transferring their gun, they know that whoever is on the receiving end is not a dangerous person. This is part and parcel of responsible gun ownership.

I’ve spent my career working side by side with the many good men and women of the Maine law enforcement community to protect and serve the people of this state. I want Maine to be safe, and I want to protect and preserve our heritage of responsible gun ownership. Question 3 does just that.

As a lifelong law enforcement officer and a proud Mainer, I urge voters to join me in voting yes on Question 3 in November.

Ed Tolan is chief of the Falmouth Police Department and president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, which has endorsed a “yes” vote on Question 3."

Background checks are the best way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people

Stopped reading at the part where they say felons can buy on line. People who say this are liars by omission and should be dismissed as nothing more then gossip columnists.

I'm sure the Chief will be pleased to hear it. Unless you have an extensive law enforcement background, I'm more likely to take his word for it.

Chances are all he ever was was a desk jockey, brown noser.

I think you should try reading the article. Patrolman, MP before that.