YARMOUTH – A Yarmouth man is organizing a new group to protect the rights of gun owners in Maine. The Maine Gun Owners Association Inc. has 50 members at present, and is adding members at the rate of two to five a day, said Jeff Weinstein, who is serving as president of the organization.

The organization is needed because anti-gun forces are incrementally threatening the rights of gun owners to use firearms for self-defense, hunting and recreational purposes, Weinstein said.

“We hope to make it clear to nongun owners that the firearms community in Maine is exceedingly responsible and practices safe gun-handling while engaged in typical shooting activities,” he said. While the National Rifle Association focuses on national issues, the MGOA would pay closer attention to specific issues that arise in Maine, he said.

Weinstein is also president of the Yarmouth Rod & Gun Club and has completed a term as president of the Pine Tree State Rifle & Pistol Association.