The new requirement for a 72-hour waiting period for all gun sales in Maine is part of a set of gun safety laws passed after a mass shooting in Lewiston in October 2023. The law, known as bill LD 2238, was presented to Gov. Janet Mills last April and became law without her signature. The waiting period starts once the buyer and seller agree on a specific gun purchase and runs concurrently with any required background check. Exceptions include sales involving law enforcement, contract security officers, family members, and collectors buying or selling antique firearms.
Violating the waiting period law can result in fines of up to $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. Proponents believe the waiting period will reduce suicides by providing a “cooling off” period, while opponents argue that it is an arbitrary measure that could endanger those seeking a gun for self-protection.
Maine Gun Safety Coalition’s executive director, Nacole Palmer, expressed optimism that the new law will save lives by preventing tragedies caused by gun violence. Gov. Mills stated that she will monitor legal challenges to waiting periods in other states to assess their potential impact on Maine’s law. Gun Owners of Maine have vowed to fight the law, citing concerns about its passage during an emergency session with questionable vote-pairing in the Senate.
In response to the Lewiston mass shooting, additional gun laws were signed by Gov. Mills, including requirements for background checks on private sales resulting from advertisements and allowing police to take individuals into protective custody if deemed mentally ill by a judge. A report released on March 15, 2024, indicated that the new laws would not have prevented the Lewiston killings, as existing laws were not followed by the U.S. Army, mental health professionals, and law enforcement agencies at the time. Please rephrase this sentence.
Source link
