A ruling by the federal appeals court in Boston has maintained a suspension on Maine’s 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases. This decision arises from a larger case pending appeal before the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, initiated by the state attorney general’s office. The law, enacted by state legislators the previous year, was part of a series of gun safety measures introduced after a mass shooting in Lewiston in October 2023, which resulted in 18 fatalities and left more than a dozen individuals injured.
The legislation stipulates that gun sellers violating the waiting period could face fines ranging from $200 to $1,000. However, gun rights advocates swiftly challenged the law in November, following its enactment when Governor Janet Mills allowed it to become law without her signature. In February, Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker granted a temporary halt to the law, aligning with the argument that it potentially infringes on constitutional rights to bear arms.
In response, the Maine Attorney General’s Office filed an appeal with the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, contending that the waiting period is a life-saving measure that respects constitutional rights. Nevertheless, a request to temporarily reinstate the law during the appeal was denied by Judge Walker in March. The appeals court is still deliberating on this aspect of the case.
In its recent ruling, the 1st Circuit Court noted that the central issue of Maine’s case presents a novel challenge in constitutional law, characterized by a legal standard that is complex and open to varied interpretations. Consequently, the court concluded that it is not convinced that the law should be reinstated at this juncture in the proceedings.
The Bottom Line
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Maine’s 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases underscore the tension between legislative efforts to enhance public safety and the protection of constitutional rights. For residents, this legal battle highlights the complexities of implementing new safety measures in the context of evolving interpretations of constitutional law.
The outcome of this case could have a significant impact on the legal landscape of gun control measures not only in Maine but potentially across other states as well. It remains a critical watchpoint for communities concerned with balancing effective gun safety legislation with the preservation of individual liberties.