Gun control group submits petitions for Maine ballot measure

AUGUSTA — Maine election officials are verifying petitions for a ballot measure requiring criminal background checks for all private gun sales in the state.

The group Maine Moms Demand Action submitted petitions to the Secretary of State’s office Tuesday. Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn says the group claimed it has more than 72,000 signatures certified by cities and towns.

Flynn’s office has until Feb. 18 to verify the petitions. The group needs 61,123 valid signatures to send the measure to the state ballot in November.

If certified for the Maine ballot, the campaign to expand Maine’s background check requirements is expected to draw considerable interest – and money – from gun control advocates and gun owners’ rights groups in Maine and around the country.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/01/20/gun-control-group-submits-petitions-for-maine-ballot-measure/