Maine’s 3-Day Waiting Period is So Poorly Written It’s Difficult to Challenge in Court

The state only released guidance on Tuesday but some are still left with questions. That includes how it will be enforced and when the countdown actually begins. The law also doesn’t expressly state an agreement has to be in writing so it’s unclear how this could be checked. pic.twitter.com/1sMnknFrHs

— Mal Meyer (@MalWGME) August 9, 2024

“It’s very aggravating as a business owner to see this law and the way it’s written and what we’re supposed to do and just be given the law 2 days ago,” said John Reid, owner of J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop.

He’s left with a lot of questions, like when the 72-hour countdown actually begins.

“An agreement can be a handshake. It can be a call on the phone. It can be an email. It can be anything,” said David Trahan, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.

The guidance only recommends how sellers keep a record of that but it’s not expressly stated in the law.

Reid feels that this is all really just a way to target gun shows. …

But Reid points out there are other ways people could harm themselves. And many of his customers, like one who stopped by Friday, already have access to guns.

“He has a lot of firearms, ok? But I got to make him wait another three days,” Reid said.

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and others plan on fighting this in court.

“We’re going to challenge this bill but it’s even hard to challenge because it’s so poorly written, so vague ,” Trahan said.

— Mal Meyer in ‘It’s So Poorly Written’: Gun Group, Businesses Raise Concerns Over 72-Hour Wait Law