Recently, I asked all my Facebook friends this question: Do you think the new gun law (Question 3) would have been a deterrent for the thieves who broke into a Bangor pawn shop to steal guns? Most respondents couldn’t give me a definitive yes or no. One said the new law would be a “baby step” in the right direction but the general response was, “If the bad guys want guns, they’ll get them one way or the other.”

My friend, Wayne Gallant and all Maine county sheriffs say no, while Maine police chiefs say yes. Question 3 is the most confusing ballot question I’ve ever seen, having valid arguments on both sides.

I will vote “no” and here’s why:

If Question 3 becomes law it would deter any future legislation dealing with gun sale restrictions that might have more teeth. Question 3 is too open to interpretation and really doesn’t go far enough.

The Second Amendment gives people the right to own firearms, but doesn’t describe penalties for their misuse. Guns in the general population are meant to be used for home protection, hunting and sport shooting. A law should be written that gives a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years for any crime that involves the use of a firearm. Be it domestic violence, a drunk waving a gun around, robbing a pawn shop that has guns or any misdemeanor with a gun involved becomes a felony with 10 years automatically attached to it.

Now that has teeth without stepping on the Second.

Alvey Pelletier, Norway

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