A federal judge has temporarily halted the implementation of a new three-day waiting period for gun purchases in Maine, following a lawsuit filed by gun rights organizations.
The law, which was enacted in August 2024, was one of several measures introduced by Maine’s Democratic-controlled Legislature in response to the deadly mass shooting in Lewiston in October 2023. The attack, carried out by an Army reservist, claimed 18 lives, making it the deadliest shooting in the state’s history.
The new regulation, part of a broader set of gun control policies, mandates that individuals undergo a 72-hour waiting period before completing a firearm purchase. Gun rights groups swiftly challenged the law, arguing that it infringes on Second Amendment rights and requesting that it be suspended until the court rules on the case.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Lance Walker noted that the law fails to establish any clear standard to justify the temporary disarmament of individuals who have already passed background checks. He indicated that the plaintiffs in the case are likely to succeed in their challenge against the law.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of individuals who argue that the waiting period is unnecessary and unconstitutional, particularly for those who have already undergone background checks. Maine’s Attorney General has pledged to defend the law, citing the legality of similar waiting periods in other states across the country.
Maine’s gun control advocates, however, have hailed the waiting period as a necessary measure to prevent impulsive acts of violence. They argue that the cooling-off period will help reduce the risk of individuals using firearms to harm themselves or others.
This legal battle is part of an ongoing national debate over gun control measures, with similar waiting period laws already in place in approximately a dozen states.
Read more:
