AUGUSTA — Two gun safety groups in Maine are getting more than $3 million from a nonprofit backed by former New York City Mayor Bloomberg in preparation for a big gun control measure on the November ballot.

Maine voters this fall will consider a ballot initiative requiring background checks before gun transfers between unlicensed firearm dealers. The measure has family, hunting and self-defense exceptions.

Federal law requires background checks for gun sales by licensed dealers.

Maine Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership report receiving $3 million from Bloomberg’s Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund since August.

The two groups have now merged into Mainers for Responsible Gun Ownership, which recently reported a $1.4 million expenditure to Windham-based Gum Spirits Productions for a television ad buy.