Judge Presses Pause on Maine’s Gun Purchase Waiting Period Law

A federal judge in Maine has temporarily halted a gun law requiring a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases, sparking renewed debate over gun control measures.

Key Takeaways

U.S. District Court Justice Lance Walker granted preliminary injunctive relief against Maine’s 72-hour firearm waiting period law.
The law was enacted in response to a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where 18 people were killed.
Judge Walker criticized the law as “indiscriminate dispossession” and suggested it likely infringes on Second Amendment rights.
Gun control advocates argue the waiting period is crucial for suicide prevention, while opponents view it as unconstitutional.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between public safety concerns and constitutional protections in gun control debates.

Federal Judge Blocks Maine’s Waiting Period Law

U.S. District Court Justice Lance Walker has temporarily halted the implementation of Maine’s law requiring a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases. The decision comes as a setback to lawmakers who sought to enhance gun control measures following a tragic mass shooting in Lewiston that claimed 18 lives.

Judge Walker’s ruling suggests that the plaintiffs challenging the law are likely to succeed on Second Amendment grounds. The judge criticized the legislation, describing it as “indiscriminate dispossession, plain and simple.” This language indicates a strong skepticism towards the constitutionality of the waiting period requirement.

Judge sides with gun advocates and pauses Maine gun law enacted in wake of Lewiston mass shooting https://t.co/6a6mMOWF3N

— The Independent (@Independent) February 13, 2025

Debate Over Public Safety and Constitutional Rights

The temporary block on Maine’s waiting period law has reignited the debate between gun control advocates and Second Amendment supporters. Proponents of the law, including the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, argue that waiting periods are crucial for preventing impulsive acts of violence, especially suicides. In 2022, a staggering 87% of gun deaths in Maine were attributed to suicide, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.

“What was surprising was that this judge granted them a political victory that was not in keeping with the decisions of any of the other judges across the nation who have found that waiting periods are, indeed, constitutional. They don’t prevent anyone from owning guns. What they do is prevent suicide and save lives,” Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, said.

On the other hand, gun rights organizations and supporters of the Second Amendment view the waiting period as an infringement on constitutional freedoms. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gun Owners of Maine have voiced their support for the judge’s decision, arguing that the law unfairly burdens law-abiding citizens.

Legal and Political Implications

The temporary injunction against Maine’s waiting period law raises questions about the future of similar gun control measures across the country. Currently, nine other states and Washington, D.C. have waiting periods ranging from three to 14 days. The outcome of this case could potentially influence legal challenges to those laws as well.

Maine’s Attorney General’s office has defended the law, citing its potential to prevent suicides and save lives. The state government is now considering its next steps, which may include an appeal of the judge’s decision. This case underscores the ongoing challenge faced by policymakers in balancing public safety concerns with constitutional protections in the realm of gun legislation.