Forum on Question 3 Saturday evening

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Republican Party will be sponsoring a public forum on November ballot question 3 — concerning gun background checks — on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building gym. There is no charge for this forum but a freewill donation would be gladly accepted.

The ballot question reads, 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?

Two of the speakers will be Bruce Ashmore and John Chapman. Ashmore is a retired U.S. Army veteran from Bucksport. He is an avid hunter, shooter and outdoor enthusiast. He has lived and traveled extensively in Europe and is a language interpreter for the Department of Defense.

Chapman is an experienced trial attorney and “gunoholic” from southern Maine who grew up in the Bangor-area. A graduate of Bowdoin College, he worked in the auto industry prior to law school. He clerked for the Maine Superior Court and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. He has advised and represented law enforcement, private citizens and government officials for over 35 years. He is a patron member of the NRA and life member of SAM. He is also a Prius-driving member of the ACLU, a Democrat and is not opposed to background checks.

For more information, please call Trisha White at 717-7619.