New 72-Hour Waiting Law Takes Effect In Maine
Starting on August 9, 2024, gun purchasers in Maine will face a new hurdle. A recently passed state law will put a 72-hour waiting period on firearms sales, and it is expected to have a big impact on the state’s gun owners.
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A reactionary law
The new law can be read here. It was passed in April of 2024, and it is seen as a direct reaction to the Lewiston killings of late 2023, although it was portrayed as a law intended to prevent suicidal people from accessing firearms.
The important part that gun owners need to know reads like this:
“Waiting period. A seller may not knowingly deliver a firearm to a buyer pursuant to an agreement sooner than 72 hours after the agreement. The 72-hour waiting period must be concurrent with any waiting period imposed by any background check process required by federal or state law.”
The legislation then lays out the penalties for breaking the law: A civil fine of $200-500 for the first offense, and $500-$1,000 for a second offense. It also lists exceptions. A law enforcement officer, security guard or correctional officer is not restricted by the 72-hour wait period. Gun stores may purchase firearms without waiting, and family members may sell firearms to each other without worrying about the wait period. There’s also an exception for C&R and antique firearms, or for transactions that require no federal or state background check.
Long-term effects
The shooting community is mostly unhappy with the law, and they think it will be particularly hard on gun shows; Maine law also requires background checks at gun shows, as of 2024.
The next big gun show in Maine is at the Augusta Armory on August 24-25, and that show will likely be an indication of what to expect in the coming months.
Will it stand?
The Gun Owners of Maine advocacy group says it will bring a lawsuit against the state in coming months, to overturn the 72-hour waiting requirement. On her part, Governor Janet Mills did not even sign the bill, saying she thought it was constitutionally suspect. If that’s the attitude from the top down, this could be a very short-lived piece of gun control.