A November 8 ballot initiative calling for closing of current loopholes in the law requiring background checks on gun purchasers in Maine will be the topic at the next meeting of Lincoln County Democrats July 18.

Dan Lord of Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership, a principal backer of the initiative, is scheduled to speak at the meeting, at the county party headquarters located at 281 Main Street, Damariscotta, next to the First Federal Savings Bank and close to the Rising Tide Community Market. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., with doors open at 6:30. All are invited to join in the discussion on the gun sale initiative as well as other issues of interest to Democrats in this election year.

A major aim of the background check initiative is to end in Maine the current exemption under Federal law for sales at gun shows, where the parties are not licensed gun dealers. The initiative on the November ballot will read: “Do you want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?”

If approved, the measure would require that in gun sale cases when neither party is licensed, the parties meet at a licensed dealer, who would complete a background check on the transferee.

Among the backers of the initiative is Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett, who has said that it “closes a dangerous loophole in the law by requiring a background check for all gun sales. It will be a valuable tool in further limiting the ability of criminals to get their hands on guns while at the same time protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Mainers.”