Every day, 88 Americans die from gun violence, yet federal law does not require unlicensed gun sellers (sellers at gun shows; on the internet, on the street) to check whether a potential buyer has a criminal record, has committed domestic abuse or suffers from severe mental illness. Too many guns are in dangerous hands; too many lives are being destroyed.

It could be different in Maine.

Mainers can vote in November to support the Maine Background Check Initiative which requires everyone who buys a gun in Maine to get the same instant criminal background check no matter where a person buys a gun or whom they buy it from. Reasonable exceptions apply for family members, hunting and self defense.

Other states with similar common sense background check laws in place have had 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers killed with handguns; 46 percent fewer women shot to death by intimate partners and 48 percent fewer gun suicides.

While no law can prevent every tragedy, we in Maine can decide to pass sensible public safety measures that can help save lives from preventable gun violence. I support the Maine Background Check Initiative and will be voting yes in November.

Cathey Cyrus,
Woolwich