BRUNSWICK, Maine_ Volunteers with the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense were out in force at post offices across Maine on Saturday, gathering signatures for a citizens' initiative they hope to have on the ballot next fall. They say the measure would close a loophole in Maine law by expanding background checks to private guns sales.
"We know that Maine's background check loophole is exploited by folks who then go on to use guns in crimes committed elsewhere," said volunteer Jackie Sartoris, speaking outside the Brunswick Post Office, "So it's an important loophole to close."
As the post office flag flew nearby at half-staff to honor the victims of last week's mass shooting in California, gun violence may be weighing on the minds of voters now. "I'm hearing people talk about it. I'm hearing people say, 'We need to do something.' Of course, I'm telling them that all this will do is require background checks for the guns that are sold in Maine, " explains Sartoris, "So I don't want people to misunderstand what this petition is about. I don't want them to think that somehow this is going to make an enormous difference in gun availability. This is simply background checks in Maine."
Sartoris says her group collected more signatures than expected on Election Day and will continue to work to gather more than it needs to ensure that the measure qualifies for next year's ballot.
