The purpose of this thread is to post links to published Blogs, Letters to the Editor, etc... that are OPPOSED to the upcoming 2016 Universal Background Check Referendum in Maine.

Below is the first batch listed in chronological order (as you can see, the "word" is starting to get out):

PLEASE HELP US GET OUT THE WORD SO THAT WE CAN DEFEAT THIS IN MAINE - THANK YOU!

https://red207.bangordailynews.com/2015/08/27/backgroundchecks/

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/09/02/letter-to-the-editor-proposed-background-checks-misfire/

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/01/billionaire-michael-bloomberg-selects-maine-target-gun-control-agenda/

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/01/bloomberg-astroturfed-maine-years/

http://dougalley.bangordailynews.com/2016/01/23/opinion/know-the-truth-about-bloombergs-gun-background-check-law-is-this-really-what-maine-wants/?ref=inline

http://dougalley.bangordailynews.com/2016/01/27/home/me-a-flat-out-liar-i-think-not-my-reaction-to-a-recent-critic/

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2016-02-03/Opinion/Against_Universal_Background_Checks.html

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/02/04/reject-universal-background-checks/1864344

https://bangordailynews.com/2016/02/06/opinion/letters/monday-feb-8-2015-clean-power-plan-good-for-maine-handling-dementia-will-gun-laws-be-enforced/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/02/11/letter-to-the-editor-background-check-referendum-risks-negative-consequences/

Thanks for putting these all in one place Bern..
Great collection of articles..

This Letter to the Editor of SUN JOURNAL highlights problems with the Background Check system, and advocates that Mainers should retain their private sale freedoms as a hedge against these problems.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/03/05/maintain-our-freedom-buy-guns/1881761

The latest from Krysta Lilly at Maine Wire (Maine Heritage Policy Center).

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/03/bloomberg-buy-rights/

Maine Wire is on a "roll".

Below is a link to an article that explains how "Maine Moms Demand Action" is merely an astro-turf franchise of Bloomberg's "Everytown for Gun Safety" - which itself has NOTHING to do with gun safety and EVERYTHING to do with gun control.

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/03/people-anyways/

Below are links to a couple more Letters to the Editor in opposition to Bloomberg's UBC referendum in Maine.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/03/26/letter-to-the-editor-bloombergs-effort-to-pass-gun-law-presents-problems/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/03/31/opinion/contributors/maine-doesnt-need-michael-bloombergs-gun-control-agenda/?ref=comments

The revulsion by Mainers to this Bloomberg universal background check referendum continues.

http://lifeontheridge.bangordailynews.com/2016/03/29/home/why-maines-silent-majority-must-make-their-stand-again/

The following Letter to the Editor was published in the SUN JOURNAL and talks about Washington State's problematic experience with universal background checks.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/04/07/problem-gun-referendum/1900144

As some of you may know, Nevada is dealing with the exact same Bloomberg Universal Background Check referendum that Maine is.

Here is a link to a Nevada Business Op/Ed in opposition to the referendum.

http://www.nevadabusiness.com/2016/05/fast-track-felony-law-abiding-citizens-gun-transfers-question-1/

This Op/Ed in the Bangor Daily News was written by a Trial Lawyer based in Augusta, Maine.

The author emphasizes that Bloomberg's Universal Background Check referendum is all about gun registration, and ultimately, people control.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/08/opinion/contributors/gun-owners-should-be-paranoid-about-maines-background-check-referendum/

The following news article ran in the Bangor Daily News on 05/15/16

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/15/the-point/maine-referendum-to-pit-bloomberg-vs-the-nra-on-pro-gun-turf/?utm_source=BDN+News+Updates&utm_campaign=bd4c72becc-RSS_MORNINGUPDATE_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_715eed3192-bd4c72becc-82708541&goal=0_715eed3192-bd4c72becc-82708541

There are over 500 reader comments on this article, the vast majority of them OPPOSED to the referendum.

There is also a wealth of information and discussion points for Maine voters to consider.

Below is a 05/18/16 Letter to the Editor of the Bangor Daily News in response to the Executive Director of the Maine Chief's of Police Association endorsement of the 2016 Maine universal background check referendum

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/17/opinion/letters/wednesday-may-18-2016-monument-will-help-economy-maine-doesnt-have-a-gun-problem-dont-restart-horse-slaughter/?ref=comments

Below is the link to the Opinion Letter of the Maine Chief's of Police Association Executive Director, Schwartz.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/15/opinion/contributors/an-affront-to-responsible-gun-owners-letting-dangerous-people-buy-guns-no-questions-asked/?ref=comments

My Comment:

Although it is disappointing to see the Maine Chief's take this position, it is not entirely unexpected. The Maine Chief's were also opposed to Maine Constitutional Carry and they have demonstrated themselves (at least the leadership team) to be in favor of gun control. One wonders how the rank-and-file Police Chief's and Police Officers feel about this.

It's been a busy last couple of days...

First, on 05/20/16, David Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportman's Alliance of Maine, had an opinion piece published in the Central Maine Kennebec Journal

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/05/17/trahan-law-would-be-first-step-in-a-firearm-registry/

NOTE: This same David Trahan piece was run in the Portland Press Herald on 05/21/16.

Second, on 05/21/16, a Federal Firearms Licensee based in Southwest Harbor, ME responds to Mr. Schwartz's OpEd via a Bangor Daily News Letter to the Editor.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/20/opinion/letters/saturday-may-21-2016-a-national-park-history-lesson-gun-control-oped-misleading-kathleen-meil-for-state-house/?ref=regionstate

Both a good read Bern...

Thank-you for your time scouring thru the pablum pieces to bring these to the surface.

..FN..

FN64GR,

It is part of my daily routine to check all the opinion pages of the major newspapers in Maine - and to share and maintain this information thread.

Back in January I made a commitment to defeat this referendum, and will work every day to do so until November.

I am retired so it is a part-time endeavor for me between other projects and activities.

Although this does not apply specifically to Maine, it does relate to Universal Background Checks.

Katie Couric has been "busted" for manipulating interview audio to make gun owners look bad in the gun control propaganda film, "Under the Gun".

http://www.ammoland.com/2016/05/unethical-journalism-couric-alters-words-vcdl-members/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork#axzz4AZuTAkPn

Her film has now been discredited - a mere two weeks after its release.

The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM) has published the first of what will be a series of articles in OPPOSITION to the Maine UBC referendum

http://www.sportsmansallianceofmaine.org/PDF/SAM_News_MA16.pdf#page=17

Reference: SAM News, March / April 2016, page 17, by Jeff Zimba

This article talks about the out-of-state abuse of Maine's citizen initiative process.

http://red207.bangordailynews.com/2016/06/06/mainers-need-to-reclaim-citizen-initiatives-from-out-of-state-astroturfing/

EXCERPT:

"The bear-baiting referendum failed, but that doesn’t mean these tactics will go away any time soon, deemed ineffective. We’re already seeing them return with the referendum to impose universal background checks on firearm sales. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his network of organizations are the main backers of this initiative, which they’ve brought here despite Maine’s low crime rate and bipartisan support for gun rights."

Excellent UBC opposition article by Jeff Zimba in the Maine Wire.

"Here we go again. More out-of-state money pouring into Maine to help us country-bumkins stay alive and save us from ourselves. It is absolutely amazing our parents and their parents made it this far without Michael Bloomberg’s help. After all, who better to assist us with the long, time-honored tradition and heritage of gun ownership in Maine than someone from New York City…"

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/06/york-solution-problem-dont/

Well written, Jeff is doing good work along with many from Gun Owners of Maine

Letter to the Editor in the Bangor Daily News.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/06/11/opinion/letters/monday-june-13-2016-gun-restrictions-are-ineffective-husson-serves-maine-hillary-clintons-nomination-matters/?ref=comments

Very good Letter to the Editor of the Central Maine newspaper.

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/06/13/background-checks-will-not-make-us-safer/

The radical Islamic terrorist attack in Orlando has really brought out the Letters to the Editors.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/06/14/rebuttal-group-just-front-bloomberg/1940621

This is a short one...

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/15/letter-to-the-editor-nothing-little-about-bloombergs-mischief/

The Orlando attack generated a whole slew of Letters to the Editor and Opinion Columns.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/17/m-d-harmon-nearly-50-killed-and-dozens-wounded-in-gun-free-zone/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/18/letter-to-the-editor-restaurant-owner-misses-out-on-two-sided-gun-conversation/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/22/letter-to-the-editor-blaming-guns-takes-away-from-the-real-threat-we-face/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/06/23/opinion/letters/friday-june-24-2016-fulford-for-state-senate-guns-arent-the-problem/?ref=comments

As one would expect, there have been numerous Letters to the Editor related to the gun issue.

These two letters focus specifically on the Maine Universal Background Check Referendum (or include this issue)

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/06/25/opinion/letters/monday-june-27-2016-monument-a-gift-for-maine-vote-no-on-ranked-choice-voting/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/27/letter-to-the-editor-novembers-ballot-iniatives-just-bad-business-for-maine/

Latest opinion piece by Jeff Zimba in the Maine Wire.

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/07/maine-owned-york/

The Jeff Zimba article is well worth the read and needs to be posted on social media as well.

Good find..Thanx

Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, is the majority leader in the Maine House, a Registered Maine Guide and a candidate for state Senate.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/07/31/opinion/contributors/i-have-a-problem-with-a-new-york-billionaire-intent-on-restricting-our-second-amendment-rights/?ref=comments

This is good news for the opponents of the referendum -- a prominent, high-level Democrat coming out AGAINST the referendum.

Here are a couple more "high profile" op / eds coming out AGAINST the Background Check referendum;

1. Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols:

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/03/opinion/contributors/maine-must-not-let-bloomberg-backed-groups-erode-our-second-amendment-right/?ref=comments

2. Executive Director David Trahan of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM):

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2016/08/07/referendum-question-3-goes-beyond-background-check/1970414#comment-184674

**Vote NO on Question 3**

Opinion piece in OPPOSITION to the Background Check Referendum Question 3 (VOTE NO)

Author: Joshua Durgin; life-long Mainer and Lobsterman

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/08/lighten-up-bloomberg/

It's time to "catch up" this thread with all the Maine Background Check Referendum OPPOSITION Opinion Pieces;

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/18/opinion/contributors/bloombergs-nanny-state-gun-restrictions-dont-belong-in-our-neck-of-the-woods/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/24/nra-official-urges-mainers-to-reject-background-checks-on-gun-sales/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/08/27/clinton-would-slowly-wipe-away-gun-rights/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/08/26/opinion/letters/saturday-aug-27-2016-thanks-to-roxanne-quimby-giving-up-gun-rights-not-common-sense/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/28/another-view-maine-gun-referendum-would-outlaw-activities-that-are-already-illegal/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/08/29/whittemore-not-mccabe-protects-gun-rights/

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2016-09-01/Opinion/Ballot_Question_3_Is_About_Control.html

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/02/m-d-harmon-just-a-little-logic-essentially-shoots-question-3-full-of-holes/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/02/opinion/letters/saturday-sept-3-2016-time-for-lepage-to-resign-be-wary-of-big-government-support-ranked-choice-voting-2/?ref=comments

https://soundcloud.com/newsradio-wgan/090316-todd-tolhurst?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fnewsradio-wgan%2F090316-todd-tolhurst

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/05/opinion/letters/tuesday-sept-6-2016-hold-lepage-accountable-keep-the-liberals-out-question-3-wont-stop-criminals/?ref=comments

https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/bloomberg-tries-to-buy-gun-control-in-maine/

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/09/freedom-sacrifice-safety/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/07/george-smith-background-check-initiative-complicate-unreasonable/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/08/background-checks-wont-stop-violence/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/09/news/midcoast/black-rifles-matter-sign-stirs-controversy-in-maine-tourist-town/?ref=comments

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/12/opinion/letters/tuesday-sept-13-2016-disappointed-in-lawmakers-no-on-question-3-clinton-most-admired-woman-in-world/?ref=comments

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/13/opinion/contributors/maine-doesnt-need-universal-background-checks-our-gun-laws-are-strong-enough/?ref=comments

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/09/law-enforcement-shortage-predicted-question-3/

The next batch of OPPOSITION opinion pieces....

This referendum is by far the most contentious of the five (5) upcoming questions

Vote NO on Question 3.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/13/opinion/letters/wednesday-sept-14-2016-ban-fireworks-question-3-wont-make-maine-safer-poliquin-stands-with-veterans/?ref=comments

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/13/opinion/letters/wednesday-sept-14-2016-ban-fireworks-question-3-wont-make-maine-safer-poliquin-stands-with-veterans/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/15/letter-to-the-editor-drawbacks-of-maine-gun-initiative-demand-that-it-be-defeated/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/09/16/vote-no-question-3/1993082#comment-185406

http://cianchette.bangordailynews.com/2016/09/16/home/ballot-questions-are-terrible-ways-to-make-law/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/18/another-view-vote-against-question-3-this-november/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/18/another-view-vote-against-question-3-this-november/

http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-no-on-question-3/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/20/maine-need-gun-courses-not-checks/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/oxford-hills/2016/09/20/oxford-county-sheriff-opposes-question-3/1997173#comment-185507

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/21/opinion/letters/thursday-sept-22-2016-stiffer-penalties-for-sex-buyers-verow-for-maine-house-background-checks-facts/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/23/commentary-question-3-is-too-broadly-written-windham-lawmaker-says/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/22/opinion/letters/friday-sept-23-2016-yes-on-question-1-stop-demonizing-political-opponents-background-checks-unenforceable/?ref=comments

http://cianchette.bangordailynews.com/2016/09/23/home/question-3-misses-the-target-with-guns-thats-a-problem/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/27/enforce-gun-laws-now-on-the-books/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/27/maine-voices-referendum-questions-put-new-laws-on-a-dangerous-fast-track/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/09/29/question-3-onerous-not-effective/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/29/letter-to-the-editor-question-3-interpretation%e2%80%a8a-misunderstanding/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/09/30/letter-to-the-editor-defeat-question-3-or-face-excessive-gun-regulations/

More opinion pieces in OPPOSITION to the background check referendum (Vote NO on 3)

God willing -- this referendum is on its way to getting CRUSHED in Maine (if there is good voter turnout).

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/10/03/trahan-yes-on-3-wrong-on-gun-facts/

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEGOV/bulletins/1696547

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/politics/voice-of-the-voter/several-maine-sheriffs-oppose-background-checks-for-gun-sales/329255255

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/06/letter-to-the-editor-question-3-makes-criminals-of-law-abiding-maine-gun-owners/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/06/question-3-wording-deceitful/2003077#comment-185700

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/07/send-carpetbaggers-packing/2005788#comment-185720

http://pinetreepolitics.bangordailynews.com/2016/10/05/were-at-the-start-of-a-referendum-arms-race/

http://callahan.bangordailynews.com/2016/10/07/home/cianchette-gagnon-and-i-are-in-total-agreement-on-the-referendum-process/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/09/letter-to-the-editor-facts-show-question-3-is-an-unnecessary-step/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/13/question-3-simply-bad-idea/2009955#comment-185883

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/10/opinion/letters/tuesday-oct-11-2016-trump-is-deplorable-minimum-wage-hike-is-fair-cain-for-congress/?ref=comments

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/aboutus/news_events/pressreleases/single.shtml?id=718443

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2016/10/16/too-many-problems-question-3/2010761

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/16/the-point/in-fight-over-2nd-district-opposition-to-question-3-could-make-the-district-red/?ref=comments

The election is next week - this is the next "batch" continuing from where we left off last...

Vote NO on Question 3 (and make sure to get out and actually vote)

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/17/letter-to-the-editor-bloomberg-has-no-business-backing-gun-checks-in-maine/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/18/letter-to-the-editor-say-no-to-more-gun-sale-regulations-in-maine/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/18/letter-to-the-editor-adding-gun-sale-background-checks-would-be-ineffective-burden-on-mainers/comments/

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2016-10-18/Opinion/What_about_Question_3.html#comment-296

http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2016-10-20/Opinion/Exemptions_Are_Actually_Landmines_in_Question_3.html

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/20/yes-or-no-question-3/2012215#comment-185961

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2016/10/23/question-3-would-criminalize-innocent-conduct/2014830#comment-185989

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2016/10/23/question-3-not-relevant-fair-or-uniform-all-individuals/2015392#comment-186003

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/22/opinion/letters/monday-oct-24-2016-climate-change-missing-from-debate-no-on-question-3-missing-civility-in-campaigns/?ref=comments

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/24/letter-to-the-editor-real-mainers-can-see-fallacy-behind-question-3/

http://www.timesrecord.com/node/1078060?pk_campaign=Newsletter

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20161024/maine-governor-paul-lepage-on-question-3

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/24/opinion/letters/tuesday-oct-25-2016-reject-all-ballot-questions-willey-for-maine-senate-rebuke-trump/?ref=comments

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/25/vote-no-question-3/2015507#comment-186022

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/25/letter-to-the-editor-question-3-makes-criminals-out-of-harmless-civilians/

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/25/opinion/letters/wednesday-oct-26-2016-wage-hike-helps-seniors-lobsters-dont-vote-schneck-for-legislature/?ref=comments

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/26/opinion/contributors/question-3-unfairly-targets-maine-sportsmen-who-loan-share-firearms/?ref=comments

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/10/trahan-yes-3-wrong-gun-facts/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/27/maine-voices-more-gun-sale-background-checks-acceptable-but-ballot-measure-goes-too-far/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/10/28/background-checks-and-fairy-tales/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/10/28/column-more-gun-background-checks-acceptable-but-ballot-measure-goes-too-far/comments/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/28/question-3-ill-conceived/2018275#comment-186069

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/28/letter-to-the-editor-background-check-proposal-would-create-danger-and-delays/

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/10/30/get-rid-referendum-process/2018585#comment-186101

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/31/letter-to-the-editor-gun-background-checks-are-good-but-question-3-overreaches/

The election is two days away.

Below its the last batch of opinion pieces.

Hopefully this information has been helpful to Maine voters.

Vote NO on Question 3.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/letters/2016/11/03/back-door-firearms-registration/2020879#comment-186161

http://www.themainewire.com/2016/11/question-3-theft-rights/

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/11/04/letter-to-the-editor-dont-pass-new-gun-laws-enforce-the-ones-we-have/

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/11/04/hillary-will-take-away-our-rights/