36.16%	Yes
63.14%	No

Comment: There is a reason why there is a ridiculously lower amount of murders in Europe - people there don't have the same access to guns. Take away the guns, and you'll see the number of murders go down. And, do you really need an AK-47 to hunt? Why are guns like that accessible to the public?? from Portland by Brian

Comment: It should not be easy to buy a gun. Background checks need to be done for any type of gun, not just pistols. Anyone who is not a citizen of the US, and who has any type of criminal activity at all should not be allowed to buy firearms of any kind. Other than that, I think people have a right to own a gun if they pass the criteria. from S. Berwick by Cathy

Comment: We don't need more laws we need to enforce the ones we have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! from Winslow by Debra

Comment: The people that are going to do something illegal with a gun will get one no matter what the difficulty. Probably by illegal means. by Chad

Comment: NO! enforce the laws already on the books. what part of "shell not be infringed" does government not understand? Yes, criminals should not have guns, but just enforce the already existing laws and we are all fine. the 2nd amendment is there for a very very good reason. It is what keeps this country free. from Westbrook by Matt

Comment: True gun collectors should have no problem with stricter regulations on gun purchases. Something needs to be done about the senseless gun crimes around the country. from Wells, Maine by Melissa

Comment: Yes, if buyers are legitimate, personal background research will not matter. from Norway, ME by Patricia

Comment: There are quite enough regulations out there already. The current rules just need to be enforced better. Increase the penalties of mis-use of a weapon. Blame the criminals, not the responseable owners! from Biddeford, ME by Alan

Comment: yes i do think maine needs to make it tougher to buy guns thay seem to be felling into the wrong hands!! from lewiston by eric

Comment: The criminals will get guns regardless of the law. You will only hurt the lawful citizens get guns. from Lewiston by Normand

Comment: I am a firearms owner, and respect them. Things are hard enough. The real issue is with the vendors that break the current laws. from Acton/Me by Rob

Comment: People do not understand. Guns don't kill people, people kill people. If they want to kill someone, they'll find a way to do it without a gun. from Steep Falls, ME by Ray

Comment: they need to enforce the laws that we have now.Also when you buy a gun at a gun show in Maine you all ready have to go through the back round check. What this bill is seeking to do is ban private sales and is being influenced by anti gun people from out of state. More laws are not going to stop a criminal who want to commit a crime,they don't care about laws as it is. from sanford by Jay

Comment: A man was loading an automatic handgun in a car parked at the front door of Walmarts. The Biddeford police said there was nothing they could do? Hello? from Portland, ME by Jack

Comment: Absolutely not! Maine is a very rural state, not to mention a hunting state. What Maine needs to worry about is the desparate economic situation it's middle class & poor are in. They need to concentrate on NOT being a safe haven state and giving housing, healthcare to immigrants and take care of our own! Mainers are losing their homes, don't have health insurance. Notice that there's never an immigrant on the front page of any newspaper because they are losing anything but more "rights" to have something for nothing. And just for the record, my family is full of color, we are all citizens, though. Keyword being a citizen of this country. from Windham, Me. by Kimothy

Comment: Sadie portland,Me. Yes! l feel strongly those who ingest illegal drugs, or Alcohol to the extent that they become impaired, those who have a history of Crime what-ever it is.. Definately should have a back ground check.. to many people are getting guns & there are way to many shootings..You don't get a job without a back ground check!! from Portland,Me. by Sadie

Comment: We have enough gun laws already. Enforce the laws we have now and there would not be a repeat of Columbine. If the police and schools had followed up on the rumors about the two boys that tragedy could have been prevented. from Portland, ME by Joel

Comment: Gun ownership is taken very seriously by legal gun owners in Maine. The Law is the Law! from Leeds / ME by Bill

Comment: we have a fbi check to buy agun if your not carefull only bad guys will have them from me. by emery

Comment: The present laws which are in place are sufficient to assure Mainers' safety if they are enforced properly. Many people in Maine are employed by the gun industry and we are a very hunting oriented state. Why make it more difficult for everyone. We don't have a high incidence for hand gun crime. from Lewiston by Kirk

Comment: It is a right to own a weapon and to use as protection or to hunt. If someone is found abusing that right judgement needs to come swift and hard. But because of those types of people we should be able to protect ourselves. from Robertsdale, Alabama by Steve

Comment: Is this the U.S.A or what, GUNS is how we won our independents, and it is important to know with the exeption of a FEW criminals all most always use a stolen gun in the commision of a crime IF PEAPLE HAVE A BAD INTENTION IN THERE HEART THE DONT NESSISARY HAVE TO HAVE A GUN to do a crime, there just as many that use a knife,bat ect, OUR FREEDOMS ARE GETTING STRANGLED AND WE ARE GETTING LESS AND LESS LIKE THE AMERICA i KNEW AS A KID. by KEVIN

Comment: Criminals don't follow the law! Law abiding citizens do! Does this make sence? Of course it does. But some people don't see it that way. Laws pertain to LAW ABIDING citizens. Criminals will always do what they want until laws that are already on the books are enforced. What about Paint Ball? This says it's okay to point a gun at a human being and pull the trigger for fun! Video games! Movies! The responsability is at home! from Kittery by Nate

Comment: Enough Already! LD985, introduced by State Senator Nancy Sullivan and LD814, sponsored by State Representative Anna Blodgett This is not what we want, more anti gun bills! We have more pressing problems, such as the ECONOMY, HEALTH CARE, FUEL AND FOOD PRICES, ETC. Pretty soon only criminals will have guns because they do not care about all your rules and regulations!! You are wasting the taxpayers money with these bills.Enough Already,STOP with these anti gun Bills. from Madison, ME. by John

Comment: The courts have consistently ruled that the police do not have an obligation to protect individuals, only the public in general. In a Justice Department study, 57% of felons polled agreed that "criminals are more worried about meeting an armed victim than they are about running into the police." Criminals don't acquire guns through legal avenues, most often guns are either stolen, or bought traded on the black market! from Portland, ME by Waldo

Comment: I support the right of people to use hunting rifles for sport and food, I also feel people who enjoy shooting ranges should be able to do so. I strongly believe no one has the right to carry or use any type of military weapon or semi automatic ones, unless they have had a special course and a license(for a job for example). No one who has been convicted of a violent felony, spousal/partner abuse or been a danger to themselves or others (mental health) should be able to buy or carry a gun. I do believe a provision should be made for anyone to request a review of their circumstances on a case by case basis. All guns need to be stored away from ammo and both in a locked case. I also believe a gun course should be required for anyone buying or using a gun. I think their should be an age limit such as 12 or 14 with a gun course. from Waterville, Me by Sheila

Comment: It's our right to buy guns. We need to be able to protect ourselves since the government is increasingly unable to do the one task they were assigned to handle. from Wales by Gary

Comment: Yes I do! Anyone who purchases a gun should have to have it LOCKED UP at all times when the firearm is not in the owners hands! I have lost 8 friends & family members to suicide over the years & not one of them owned the firearm that killed them. from Westbrook,Me. by Joseph

Comment: With all of the shooting sprees better safe than sorry.that occur in this country we should be from Windham by Priscilla

Comment: Anyone can buy the weapon of their choice off the internet. Time should be invested in building up the economy; not tearing down the rights of indviduals to bear arms. The more secure people feel the less protection they will feel the need. It's that simple... from ME by T

Comment: Too many kids and adults are getting their hands on them, and abusing them. by Dee

Comment: Hunting Rifels are one thing hand guns should be outlawed from lewiston,Maine by brian

Comment: We the people of the United States have the Constitutional right to Bear Arms, especially those who are properly trained to use them, such as our service members & veterans (like myself). from West Gardiner, Maine by Jonathan

Comment: ITS OUR RIGHT from WELLS by HARRY

Comment: I do not like guns and believe there are too many people that own them that should'nt. It would not hurt anyone to wait a longer period of time to purchase one. from portland,me. by dorothy

Comment: The State of Maine should not infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens. from Lewiston, ME by Kurt

Comment: yesjust for the erresponsible from oobme by jim

Comment: Depends on the Gun. The thought that I can have a 50 Caliber delivered to the gun dealer down the road and pick up a few days later is kinda scary if you consider that one of those things can take a aircraft out of the air!!!!! Now should it be a hunting rifle or shotgun and they continue the Fed Check. Then the law here in Maine is fine from Freeport by Ben

Comment: why punish people who do register. If a criminal wants to get a gun most are going to find a way to get it. from brunswick by kathy

Comment: Yes, end the power of the NRA!! by Eric

Comment: people kill gun's don't kill people kill no more gun's only for the police not for people gun's are no good yes make it very difficult for buying gun's. make this a very save place to live in. from portland, maine by kim

Comment: Yes I beleave in the TEN COMMANDMENT "THOU SHALL NOT KILL". So yes we need thougher gun laws and enforce the ones have have too. from Lewiston Maine by Terry

Comment: if the state wants to make it more difficult to purchase guns, then they should also tougher guns laws too. from Lewiston by Katie

Comment: Absolutely not! I thought the Brady bill was the answer. The only ones that were affected were law abiding citizens. All gun laws are just another revenue generator for the socialist democrats. Get rid of the guns slow enough that it doesn't draw too much fire. But the ultimate goal is to totally disarm the public so they can't defend themselves from an overbearing and tyrannus government. We need to fight every gun law at the legislative level. from Lebanon by Vey Concearned

Comment: The current laws are sufficient. Mai9ne does not have a gun violence problem to solve. from Biddeford by George

Comment: No, bad people will get guns anyway. Its not the guns fault, however making gun owners more liable is fair. from Norway Maine by Luke

Comment: Yes, there isn't that much of a reason to own a gun in Maine, except for hunting, but most people that are allowed to hunt aren't exactly safe with them either. from Saco, Maine by Anthony

Comment: enough gun laws now, just have to enforce them from phillips/me by willie

Comment: No need for new "feel good" laws! Enforce the laws already on the books! from West Gardiner, Maine by Brian

Comment: Too much harm has come about with the ease of obtaining firearms in this country. from Portland/ Maine by Rebecca

Comment: iT,S HARD ENOGH TO BUY A GUN ALREADY from BATH by AIDAN

Comment: If you make it more difficult to purchase a gun, only the criminals will get them because they don't follow the rules anyway. from ME by Lee

Comment: if the laws that are in effect right now were properley inforced, we would be safer from Monmouth,Me by Cherrilynn

Comment: Its not the answer to stop the bad guys. They will get guns anyway. This will make it harder on the honest sportsman. from Peru,Maine by Lawrence

Comment: "Gun Control" is a proven failure. In the huge majority of cases, it hurts only the law-abiding. from Brunswick, ME by Richard

Comment: Maine is a hunting state. People go to gun shows and gun shops to buy guns for recreational purposes, not to go rob a bank and commit crimes. I think they should leave the law alone and let sportsman keep their right to buy and trade guns the same. from Bath Maine by Nick

Comment: This will affect only the law-abiding gun buyers, not the criminals from norway, maine by

Comment: There are already enough laws on the books to regulate guns. Autmoatic weapons are banned, and quite a few hunting rifles already. Not to mention magazines already have laws regulating them. Criminals will always find a way to get a gun, gun laws only prevent law-abiding zciztizens from gettting a gun. A gun that could protect them from a criminal who has obtained a gun illegally. There are dozens of stories where a gun has protected someone who obtained it legally from a criminal trying to do them harm. Don't make it harder for law-abiding Maine citiziens to protect themselves. from Mexico Maine by Roland

Comment: I do not think that it should be harder to buy guns in Maine. It would be unfair to hunters and people that use them as recreational use. from North Bridgton, ME by Travis

Comment: Criminals are going to get whatever they need no matter what the law is. Leave the gun laws alone!!! from turner me by Glenn

Comment: Laws already in place are not enforced. We don't need more laws. from North Waterboro by Barry

Comment: Lock up the nuts and criminals and there will not be a problem from South Portland Me. by Dan

Comment: I am against this bill this would not stop criminals from obtaining guns. Mabye the guns shows, but hot individual buyers. from Lewiston Me by Don

Comment: the crooks would still have ways to get them from lewiston,me. by pauline

Comment: i can not think of ANY good reason why we should not have more requirements from acton/me. by carol

Comment: No , maybe we should make it more difficult for criminals get off free. guns dont kill people , people kill people. by hank

Comment: I've been a responsible gun owner for 25 years, and it's always got to start somewhere to take away the second amendment of responsible gun owners. It's time to stop. from New Gloucester by Steve

Comment: If we just followed through with the laws we have already we would be better off. Then trying to enforce more new laws. from Sanford Me by Roger

Comment: if any it should be on automatic weapons only. Plus if some one wants a gun they can find one or steal it. from So. Berwick, ME by Nicholas

Comment: I THINK ALL GUNS SOLD AT GUN SHOWS SHOULD HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK from VASSALBORO ME. by DOMINIQUE

Comment: i believe that a person should have the right to own a gun to protect their home and family.tougher laws only will increase the chances of a person to buy a weapon illegally and we wont know who is shooting who and who sold it to them, dont fix a problem with a greater one. from lewiston by leroy

Comment: We already have enough laws to control the sale of guns to law abiding citizens. from Biddeford, ME by Rebecca

Comment: If a crimal wants to get a gun their going to get one.Its the good people this law would make it hard for. The bad guys will still have guns while where waiting for the paper work from brunswick/maine by kathy

Comment: Maine Constition says "no infrigment on the right to bear arms'.What part of this don't the Lawmakers understand? from Cumberland/Me by Bob

Comment: We have enough laws on the books today. No law will stop a person from killing another person with ANY weapon. Look at what has happened to women that have gotten a protection order against their husband or boyfriend, that didn't prevent them from getting killed. from Greene, ME by Nancy

Comment: stop out of state people from interfearing in our state laws. Sorry about that guys kid but we dont have those problems here! Please tell him to mind his business and take his problems back to his state! from South Berwick, ME by Brian

Comment: guns don't kill people ! people kill do ! from ME by david

Comment: People kill people, not guns! The next thing we'll have to make laws for are knives, baseball bats, amd so on. This is suppose to be a free country, but it's fast becoming a dictator ship. from Eliot, Maine by Dennis

Comment: No right is absolute. The 1st Amendment guarantees me the right to free speech, but I can't stand up in a crowded theater and scream "fire" if there isn't one. Abridgment of rights can be valid. In this case, the rights of public safety should weigh heavier than the sportsman's accessibility. from Portland, ME by Louis

Comment: I feel the current application process to purchase a fire arm is adequate. We must be able to purchass a fire armto protect ourselves from all the home invasions. Look at the increasing number of drug users and problems that illegal drugs create. from Bridgton, Maine by Bill

Comment: Maine continues to make things more diffcult to do anything. You only hurt the law abiding citizen, the bad guys will continue to get guns,they do not care about any laws. from Harpswell, ME by George

Comment: Absolutely not.Criminals don't give damned about laws.They'll get their guns regardless of the law.My wife and I are licensed to carry concealed weapons which is a right that thousands of men and women died to give us that right.I personally think it's pathetic that the law abiding citizen has to pay for a permit to carry a firearm when it's a constitutional right to carry in the first place. from Thomaston,Me. by Bill

Comment: These proposed laws only effect law abiding people and do nothing to stop the criminals from getting their hands on a gun. It would be a free-for-all if the criminals knew every home had no defenses. from Waldoboro by Dana A.

Comment: A FREE AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHTS TO PURCHASE A GUN OF ANY TYPE, ANY WHERE, ANY HOW. THE 2ND AMMENDMENT ENABLES US TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM WITH OUT, AND "WITH IN". THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONTROLLED BY ANY GOV.ENTITY. HOW ELSE CAN AMERICANS PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM AN INTOLERANT GOV. THIS IS WHY OUR FORE FARTHERS MADE THIS WISE CHOICE ON THE 2ND AMENDMENT, from WESTBROOK, MAINE by BUDDY

Comment: I'm going to say Yes, but I'm on both sides of this situation. I think we should be allowed to have guns, yes, but with how many public shootings there have been lately, I think it should definitely be more difficult to buy a gun, but I don't think it should be Inevitable. from Standish by Concerned

Comment: you could pass 50 new gun laws,,it still wont deture the criminal,,,they will still do as they wish,, Austraila tried,,the banned all guns,,and the crime rate is the highest it has ever been,,the criminals have no fear,,they know the home owners are defencless now. from Harrison Me by Joe

Comment: the supreme court ruled that we have the right to bear arms so we should be able to buy them as a free people. from alna me by ralph

Comment: No,non felons should be able to keep and bear arms. The state already takes or money! from Sanford by Bob

Comment: More laws are not the solution, putting the lawbreakers away for a long time is. We need to enforce the laws we already have? Taking guns away from law abiding citizens will only increase crime. And that begs the question: why does Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont currently have one of the lowest crime rates in the country? Answer: Because we have a well armed, law abiding society. from Auburn, Maine by Roland

Comment: criminals and deranged people don't care about the law or it's repercussions - they will find a way to do their terrible deeds. Let's find a solution to the root problem,not attacking one of the many tools to do the deed from Windham,Me by Jim

Comment: There is no such thing as a loophole in gun laws. That is a word our illustrious ex president Bill Clinton came up with when thing weren't going just the way he wanted them too. We don't out of staters coming in telling us how to run our laws. They are just fine the way they are. from North Berwick, Maine by Richard

Comment: PUNISH THE CRIMINALS AND LEAVE THE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ALONE. from MEXICO,MAINE by CLAYTON

Comment: to start with i wish some of you idiots would read the constitution.we have as much right to own a gun as you do to post your opinion here. nearly all gun violence is done by people who ILLEGALLY obtained a gun! from windham by chuck

Comment: NO!We don't need any more gun laws.Enforce the ones we have.Criminals will always be able find a way to get guns and they don't get them legally.People that think more laws are the answer are just kidding themselves.Criminals don't obey your laws! from Brunswick,Me by Rick

Comment: I repeat what has allready been said over and over again we do not need more laws we need to enforce the ones we have know.It will not stop the criminal from getting any kind of a weapon to do harm. It has been proven those of you thatdo not know do some research and read. from South Portland Maine by Larry

Comment: Please no! The State now makes it difficult to do anything! Try running a business! from berwick me by gary

Comment: I think they should make it a law and inforce it.I don't like guns and never had. from falmouth ME by Reginald

Comment: Federal laws already cover the aims of this bill. I have purchased firearms at gun shows in the past and had an instant check run each time. by Morgan

Comment: sure why not look at what they are doing to smokers why not killers too from Farmingdale Maine by Ann

Comment: I am against loose gun control. I have always thought the rules should be stricter. from Brunswick, ME by Tracy

Comment: DUH !!!!! from Auburn by Debbie

Comment: Do we really want to wait for a mass shooting in Maine before we come to our senses? What if it's YOUR kid? from Portland ME by Daniel

Comment: Maine already has more than enough regulation of firearms. the laws are on the books. The problem is lenient judges. No more plea bargains, penalize those who break the law not law abiding gun owners !! from Raymond by George

Comment: We need a Federal ID Card For gun owners; as it is a Constitutional issue not a State's right issue...Private sales between non dealers should stop and a dealer should submit the info of the sale in order to get an instant check on the prospective buyer. There are over 20 THOUSAND gun laws on the books now...We need enforcement and prosecution of Lawbreakers not of LAWFUL citizens. from Hiram/Maine by Peter

Comment: As being an ex-police officer for Maine, the laws are in place but the courts have to enforce these laws better. I had a case of a man who did not have any registration to carry his fire arm in Maine,or federal and a case came up and my charges were dismissed by the court. Laws were fully charged but the courts just slap them on the wrist. Thats problem one. Problem two, if people want to find a gun on the black market they will. from Rumford, Maine by Bernadette

Comment: Maine gun laws are fine, just the way they are. from Mt. Vernon by Troy

Comment: the laws we have now are fine from appleton me by greg

Comment: honest people register guns at auctions. We have the right to own them without any more hassle. from dayton me by david

Comment: Absolutely not, except for convicted felons who have committed serious violent crime.Though they will likely be able to procure whatever they want anyway. from turner, Maine by Bill

Comment: We need to enforce the laws we have now. If someone breaks the law, punish them, Do not find excuses "why" they broke the law. from Hollis by Mike

Comment: shoud we also make it more difficult to buy a car because some one MIGHT drink a drive and cause an accident? by Ed

Comment: Its hard enough to get a gun. if a criminal wants a gun they will find a way to get one. from waterford me by jennifer

Comment: The individual from Colorado has no standing in Maine. The legislators need to be coincident of their oath to uphold the Maine Constitution first and foremost. Section 16. To keep and bear arms. Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned. What is the question? The AG ought to support and fight for my rights too!!! Paul J. Mattson Certified NRA Instructor #63731855 Maine CWP Training 101 Main St. Harrison, ME 04040 from Harrison by Paul

Comment: No, absolutely not. It's not gun control we need but rather crime control. It seems from news reports most of the gun violence happens in the states and cities that have the most restrictive gun control. Evidently it's not gun control that's the answer to gun violence. from Lewiston, Maine by Don

Comment: We need more guns not less.Thier is less of a chance for a large amount of people getting killed if the assalent is looking at guns pointing back at them.The problem with no guns is the crazy people will know the law abiding people will not be able to aford to have guns for protectiopn.Every new law makes things more expensive due to the paperwork. from Maine by Sheryl

Comment: gun control is not going to help. If someone wants a gun the can get it. look at drugs anyone can find the right someone to buy drugs from Brunswik by Jay

Comment: That is not the answer..Maybe the state should take a look at cutting back on our police forces!!!that is the problem from maine by catherine

Comment: guns dont kill. people kill. .. when guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns. from waterford by mike

Comment: The bad people who get guns illegally will get then anyway. from Bath, ME by Dwight

Comment: Most States do, and it will make a difference. from Lewiston by Judith

Comment: I'm a gun owner and I say yes, it should be more difficult. Just look at the well known weekly advertising booklets ... absolutely no control and an open air, deregulated market. Then, consider the problem we have on the border with the shipment of weapons in relation to the marijuana and cocaine trade. Gun control is not just "using both hands", nor will your ability to procure a machine gun immediately jeopardize your safety or freedom. Nobody is looking to take your guns away or prevent you from owning guns. There simply must be better safegaurds to keep guns out of the hands of drug dealers and crazed lunatics. They are the ones who are threatening gun rights, not people who expect a common sense, functional approach to gun legislation. And, yes; I am a gun owner. from OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE by WENDELL

Comment: Criminals will still get guns. People kill people, not guns. from Topsham by Donald

Comment: Who would it be difficult for? The law abiding citizen or the mentally ill criminal minded murderer. by Ann

Comment: All more laws do is make harder for the honest man. If you want new laws,make it harder on the criminal useing the gun. from Harrison by Arnold

Comment: It is already hard enough for those that are not supposed to have them. Are we as a people just going to give up all our rights? from Brunswick by Phil

Comment: Up in good ole boy country north of Augusta guns are a way of life for Mainers. from Topsham, ME by Ian

Comment: There is a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. A lot of horrific murders in this state lately have used knives. Will we also be regulating their purchase? by Carol

Comment: Existing laws should be enforced. from Lewiston Me by Mark

Comment: I think if you buy a gun at a gun show you should have to go through the FBI backround check just as you would if you purchased a gun at store. from maine by brandon

Comment: Enforcement of the thousands of laws currently on the books would be a better start. I have nothing to hide and buy firearms through dealers, however requiring individuals to perform background checks will only create a new cost to law abiding citizens when they have to contract someone to perform the check for them or to the state when they have to add personnel to handle the increased traffic from inexperienced people. from Standish, ME by Tim

Comment: This is just another way of making things harder for the ones doing it right. You will NEVER stop the ones that want to use it for the wrong reasons. No process will EVER be perfect so stop trying to kill a dead issue. by Kelly

Comment: "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." Thomas Jefferson from Maine by J

Comment: It takes more to buy a house than it does to buy a gun! from Brunswick by Mark

Comment: criminals don't buy guns at gun shows. from gray/maine by jim

Comment: Everyone must pass a Federal Firearm check to purchase a gun at gun show or at a store. The government need to enforce the laws we know have in place. from Lewiston by Richard

Comment: NO! It is not difficult to buy a car, more people die from auto accidents than anything else. from Monmouth by Mike

Comment: This state should keep its hunting and fishing abilities and preseve Maine heritage. from Windham by Lynda

Comment: I beleive that this will only affect law abidng citizens. Criminals, like the Colombine boys, will only seek another method. Nature abhors a vacuum and criminals will then steal from the honest people. CASE IN POINT: Australia. Banned hand guns TOTALLY three years ago and crime is up over 60 per cent. from Lewiston by Lance

Comment: This would serve solely as an inconvience for law abiding residents. Ultimately, the total guns sold would remain unchanged. Non-law abiding persons would be un-effected. from Buxton/ME by Charles

Comment: We have enough gun laws now.If your a bad apple you will always find a way to get a gun. from Madison,Maine by Andy

Comment: Although the recent killings are very tragic, the news media is very bias in their reporting. Law abiding gun owners can do a 100 things right, but nothing gets mentioned. I've taken safety courses, and keep my guns locked up. Criminals are going to get guns regardless. give us a break. from Poland by Roland

Comment: i think your question is misleading ! if the citizens have a criminal record . how is that making it more difficult? seems like if they have a record , they don't need a gun! from south portland by chuck

Comment: If it saves even one life, it would accomplish it'mission. Most people shouldn't object the extra paperwork. from Brunswick by Dave

Comment: I'm an NRA Certified Instructor and I think people own pistols for positive reason: personal protection, competitive and recreational shooting, hunting and collecting. With the proper training people receive and the back ground check in place today, I don't believe it should be any harder to buy a gun, than it already is. Criminals will not adhere to the laws anyways. from Brunswick, Maine by William

Comment: most deffenetly!!! why hasnt this happend already!!! from turner maine by dani

Comment: Not needed. I will not achieve any meaningful goal. The personThat iks intent on getting a gun will still get one legaly or iligaly. from Bridgton ME 04009 by George

Comment: Why do we insist on being the most violent "advanced" nation on earth, simply because we fear common sense rules for responsible gun ownership? The default position of the sportsman/NRA lobby is shameful. from Wiscasset, ME by Scott

Comment: The federal goverment has enough laws, that they should inforce before taking more richts away from the law abiding citizens. from 13 swan street by richard

Comment: Maine Constitution Article I. Declaration of Rights. Section 16. To keep and bear arms. Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned. What part of "shall never be questioned" don't these feel good liberals understand? If you don't like what the Constitution SAYS, try to change it. Don't try to usurp it through legislation that collides with the state Constitution. Especially whe the People have NO say in the matter. If your choice becomes my choice just because you and another guy made it, then I do not really have a choice. (And I never did.) That does not sound like freedom to me? from Damariscotta, Me by anonymous

Comment: We're one of the safest states in the union, and people keep trying to pass laws like the most dangerous states have. I'm sure that makes sense to someone. from Minot, Me by Mike

Comment: no. i don't beleive guns used for crime are bought in stores, they bought out of trunks of cars.or stolen out of the homes of law abiding gun owners, i've personally bought a gun from a gun show and had to fill out the same paperwork that i fill out at a registered gun dealer. from lisbonfalls by matt

Comment: Even if the hunters have to suffer by making it harder to buy a gun, it might stop the suffering of those innocent people who are killed because guns are too easy to purchase. from Scarborough, ME by Pat

Comment: Laws On guns only heart The people who buy them Lawfully A person Bent on harming someone Most likely stole one from randolph by Chris

Comment: It's already difficult enough to purchase a firearm, including National Background checks. The only people who pay attention to the law and are ultimately hurt by the same law are the law-abiding citizens of Maine. Obviously, criminals aren't going to pay attention to it. Even if all guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. from Winthrop, ME by Jeff

Comment: this is becoming a communist country fast! big brother is getting into too many private matters! from rockland by walter

Comment: A large percentage of gun show customers are law abidding citizens who just can't afford gun dealer prices on used firearms. from Portland by Steve

Comment: The "Right to Bear Arms" was necessary long ago when the gathering of food and the protection from "hostile natives" was a predominate issue. This is 2009 where there are grocery stores providing meat, and the threat of "hostile natives" is replaced by street gangs and criminals, which are policed by our law enforcement officials for which we pay taxes in a more civilized society. The "Right to Bear Arms" need to be re-thought. from Portland, ME by Dan

Comment: There are no gun show loop holes. Dealers at gun shows are required to do background checks on anyone purchasing a firearm. There were no statistics reported at todays hearing saying how many private sales occur at gun shows. All other sales of firearms would be by the dealers at the shows and they must keep records of the transactions. from Sabattus by Gary

Comment: -NO- Its pretty basic, the guns bought LEGAL are not the problem.... Its the ones already out there its so easy to buy guns on-line or even in newspapers. You need to give your effort to removing guns at the illegal level not hunters, sportsmen etc.. from Brunswick maine by Dave

Comment: I feel that every state should have tough gun laws not just Maine. I hope & pray that the new gun law passes. from Scarborough, ME by Michele

Comment: Australia banned all guns a couple of years ago and gun-related crime went up 44%. Making it harder to buy a gun isn't going to keep guns out of the hands of criminals! from Sabattus by Rebecca

Comment: Our veterans and soldiers served for this country to give all you people FREEDOM!!! Laws are made everyday to take freedom away from you and me. This law will not protect you AT ALL. A criminal will always have a way to kill you. Gun or no gun. Look carefully at states that have banned guns in their city. (The crime rate increased.) Check out Washington D.C. Crime!!!! Don't trust our politicians , they can't do anything right in our state or any state. Crime will continue to increase if they keep allowing low income people to move into our beautiful state!!! When will they ship in people that will actually contribute to making maine grow. Don't you feel like we are going backwards. REMEMBER =MAINE USED TO BE A WELL KEPT SECRET!!! lET'S STICK TOGETHER AND PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOM! from Windham

Comment: If I thought it would do any good at all keeping guns out of the hands of crimminals I'd be all for it but I, and you, know better. It's just another step towards gun registration. from Westbrook by Dave

Comment: Why wait for a "Columbine" in our state? Law-abiding citizens should not mind registering to buy a gun. from Kennebunk ME by Roberta

Comment: Automatic or semi-automatic repeating guns should be sold only to law enforcement agencies, US military or Maine National Guard, by one office or agency accredited by Maine's Attorney General or Superior Court. Writers of the Constitution defending the right to bear arms due to the need for a militia (e.g. National Guard) didn't even imagine that one pull of a trigger could kill or main a roomful of kids or adults. I don't believe the majority of members of even the gun lobbies, if allowed to vote, would want such "machine guns" in the hands of others -- certainly not needed by their "sportsmen" majority, who count on the skill of a single shot to kill or wound a single animal.) from Cumberland Ctr, ME by Ted

Comment: If the existing gun control laws were to be enforced effectively there would not be any need to ever pass another one. The single common denominator for every one of these massacres is that there was not one person there with a firearm to stop these murderers. You can thank gun control for that... from Vassalboro by Charlie

Comment: Advancing and financing additional government involvement in our lives is not a correct way to be a more conscientious or responsible gun owner! Just as Mr. Smith said, the criminals are going to break into our homes to steal their guns, not shop at a local gun show. Continuing investigations of law abiding citizens instead of putting those resources into catching criminals is irresponsible. Catch the bad guys, don't penalize the good guys. AN ARMED CITIZENERY IS FREE!! from Bridgton, Maine by Greg

Comment: I think that if someone wants a gun bad enough they will find one. It is not fair to the rest of us who hunt, it makes it more difficult for them from Harrison by Natalie

Comment: Absolutely not !! Leave our second amendment rights alone. Criminals are not going to follow the law anyway and will buy guns illegally. New laws will only effect us honest owners. from Harrison by Kip

Comment: I think we have enough laws in place now,that will keep the honest people,honest! The others,well, there is no law for the LAWLESS! from Avon by Randall

Comment: TO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE GUNS BEFORE THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH. THERE SHOULD BE MORE LAWS. from FARMINGDALE, ME. by ANGIE

Comment: But, illegal ownership of assault weapons should also be controlled to a greater degree! from Lisbon, Maine by Dick

Comment: Yes, especially with the economy the way it is...people are doing some awful crazy things for money, drugs etc... from Buxton, Maine by Laurie

Comment: What Mr. Mauser fails to explain is that the two persons (Mark Manes and Robyn Anderson) who purchased the guns and gave them to the killers would have passed a background check. Their purchases were legal and had the law been in in effect it would not have prevented Manes and Anderson from purchasing the weapons and giving them to the killers. Although the purchases were legal, their transfer to the killers was not. Anderson was a straw purchaser, buying the long guns for the killers with their money which is a violation of the 1968 Gun Control Act. Manes broke both the law by giving the handgun to the two minor killers. So essentially, Mr. Mauser is not telling the who truth. This law would not have prevented the purchase of the guns used in Columbine and two laws were already violated in the transfer of those weapons. So, why do we need this law in Maine? from Oxford by Niner19

Comment: Only criminals need gun control. from Lewiston,Me. by Earl

Comment: Make it hardfor honestpeople to have guns and only the criminals, who don't obey the law anyway, will have them. from Bethel by Jon

Comment: Enforce the existing laws. There is no gun show loop hole, every firearms dealer must do a federal back ground check. A Safe, Sane Responsible gun owner. by John

Comment: Places like DC which until recently banned guns have the highest crime rate in the country. Gun control just disarms the law-abiding. from Brunswick, Maine by Tom

Comment: Every gun show I've been to in the last three years has done the "federal quick check" whenever I purchased a firearm. I get concerned when some people in the government want to do us a favor and make new rules to restrict our freedom but they don't enforce the ones they already have on the books. Every new politician has to make their political mark. Maybe they should work at keeping the law instead of making new ones every year. from Shapleigh, ME by Paul

Comment: Yes! Some guns should be "outlawed". The ordinary citizen should be able to have a gun to protect himself but..............felons, illegal aliens, and people of questionable character or with criminal records, should not be allowed to have guns. Back ground checks should be necessary and laws are necessary. from Sanford by Ruth

Comment: I don't have a problem with background checks. I don't believe Illegal Aliens should be able to buy guns of any kind, any time in this Country. from Peru by Harold

Comment: People who want guns to commimt a crime are going to find a way to get them, regardless of any roadblocks the governement throws in their way. I've played video games since I was 8 and have no desire to kill anyone. from Biddeford by Jon

Comment: Maine has one of the three lowest crime rates in the country, behind Vt and NH. Why would it be necessary to make it harder for honest target shooters, hunters and collectors to buy a gun. Punish people who violate the existing laws, not the honest people. by Rich

Comment: What reason has the State of Maine to make it more difficult to buy a "gun"? We are not inforcing the laws we have now. Stop it with the liberal anti gun "It's the guns fault" thinking. Sportsman and woman, target shooters, hunters, buy guns. A criminal is a criminal and will het whatever they need regardless of how many laws make it difficult for me, a bird hunter to buy a shotgun for my son. from Falmouth ME by K.

Comment: Guns are responsible for crime in the same way forks are responsible for obesity. Only freedom provides security and we have the right and the responsibility to protect ourselves rather then pretend government can do that for us. from Portland/Maine by Donna

Comment: the guns are going to get into the wrong hands no matter what they try impose on the rest of us .As a hunter and gun enthusiast they should focus on gun safety not controlling honest law abiding citizens from Biddeford Maine by Moe

Comment: If honest citizens are forced to jump through hoops to be armed, they will be at the mercy of armed criminals who obtain guns illegaly because they are after all criminals. Wake up Maine, quit legislating everything to death. And lend me ten bucks for a pack of smokes. from Bridgton, ME by Art