background checks

Published
January 20, 2023

Gun sales in Maine declined in 2022, but remain historically high

Firearm sales in the state have fallen 17% since 2020, new data show. But sales are still far above pre-pandemic levels, and 25% higher than a decade ago.
Published
May 28, 2019

Divided panel backs gun background checks for private sales

While the 7-5 vote indicates the bill has an uncertain fate in the full Legislature, there is growing optimism about a compromise ‘red flag’ bill crafted by a bipartisan group.
Published
February 25, 2018

Candidates for Maine governor weigh in on gun reform

The Telegram posed five questions to 14 Blaine House hopefuls. Their answers reveal partisan splits, but also defer to the will of the people.
Published
December 10, 2016

Much could be gained from stricter enforcement of existing gun laws

With the defeat of the background check initiative, we need more muscle in the controls we've got.
Published
December 2, 2016

Our View: Existing laws won’t stem felons’ gun purchases

The rejection of Question 3 is more evidence of Mainers' reluctance to help keep firearms away from people like the gunman in last weekend's shootings.
Published
November 20, 2016

In Maine elections, big spenders weren’t always big winners

Tens of millions of dollars backed Maine candidates and causes, but in some cases, message and broader context mattered more.
Published
November 10, 2016

Rural Maine, sportsmen flex voting muscles to shoot down background checks

Question 3 was overwhelmingly popular in parts of southern and midcoast Maine but failed in western, central, northern and Down East towns.
Published
November 2, 2016

Maine Voices: Question 3 would move toward balancing gun rights with responsibility

Arguments against the loophole-closing question are both superficial and unsupported by facts.
Published
November 1, 2016

Requirement for background checks when lending guns used to target Question 3

Critics call mandatory checks for non-family transfers a fatal flaw in the ballot measure, but supporters say it avoids a dangerous loophole in the law.
Published
October 30, 2016

How Maine became a source of ‘crime guns’ in other states

Question 3: Initiative's advocates say a lack of background checks on private sales fuels illicit trafficking.