Maine's 72-hour waiting period to buy a gun remains in effect after U.S. Supreme Court declines appeal petition
Maine Enacts Waiting‑Period Law, the State’s Most Significant Gun‑Control Measure of 2024
By Maine News Now Staff
In 2024, lawmakers in Maine introduced the state’s most consequential gun‑control regulation of the year, mandating a waiting period for all firearms purchases. The legislation, signed into law this spring, requires buyers to wait a specified number of days between the point of sale and the moment they are able to take possession of a handgun or rifle.
The decision comes on the heels of the tragic mass shooting that occurred in Lewiston in 2023. That incident, in which a gunman opened fire on a local community, left the state reeling and prompted a renewed debate over how to prevent future tragedies. In the wake of the Lewiston shooting, citizens, advocacy groups, and lawmakers called for tighter controls on firearms, arguing that a pause between purchase and possession could reduce impulsive acts of violence and give law‑enforcement agencies more time to check background information.
The waiting‑period law was crafted through a bipartisan process. State Representatives and Senators introduced the bill in early 2023, and after deliberations in both chambers, it received the approval needed to move to the governor’s desk. Governor Janet Mills signed the legislation into effect on March 15, 2024, marking a major milestone in Maine’s gun‑policy landscape.
Under the new rules, purchasers must wait a minimum of seven days after completing a transaction before they may take the firearm home. The law applies to all types of handguns and long‑range rifles, and it requires sellers to confirm that buyers meet all legal eligibility requirements before handing over the weapon. The waiting period is designed to give both consumers and the state a buffer against impulsive or dangerous purchases.
Supporters of the law say it offers a practical, non‑controversial approach that respects Second Amendment rights while adding an extra layer of public safety. “We’re giving people time to think and ensuring that firearms are transferred responsibly,” said State Representative Thomas Collins, a key advocate for the bill. The state’s Attorney General’s office added that the waiting period also helps prevent the illegal transfer of weapons to individuals who are prohibited from owning them.
Opponents argue that the waiting period could inconvenience lawful gun owners, particularly those who rely on firearms for protection or for emergency response. Some gun‑rights groups contend that the law is merely a symbolic gesture and does not address the root causes of gun violence.
The Maine Legislature has described the waiting‑period law as the most substantive gun‑control measure enacted in 2024. The bill’s passage reflects a broader shift toward pragmatic reforms aimed at reducing gun‑related incidents while balancing constitutional concerns. As the law takes effect, officials will monitor its impact on firearm sales and public safety, hoping that the added pause between purchase and possession will serve as a deterrent to future acts of mass violence.
